According to reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano, newly promoted Premier League side Leicester City have opened talks with Arsenal to sign attacker Reiss Nelson. The 24-year-old has already informed the Gunners of his desire to leave this season, and the Foxes currently look like the frontrunners to secure his signature.
Nelson No More?
Leicester are looking to sign Nelson on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy. While Romano hasn’t provided many details, the obligation to buy is expected to be based on certain conditions being fulfilled, such as appearances or goals scored. Arsenal will likely demand a fee of £15-20 million if Leicester want to make the move permanent after the loan spell.
Leicester’s confidence in convincing Nelson to join stems from their newly appointed manager Steve Cooper, who has worked with the forward in the past. This pre-existing relationship could be key in persuading Nelson to move to the King Power Stadium.
Arsenal’s Loss, Leicester’s Gain
Nelson primarily plays as a winger but is also capable of leading the line. His speed and tricky dribbling abilities make him a tough opponent for any fullback. The 24-year-old has represented England at various youth levels but is still seeking his first senior international call-up. An Arsenal academy graduate, Nelson has enjoyed loan spells at TSG Hoffenheim and Feyenoord, demonstrating his ability to score goals when given regular game time.
Nelson failed to start a single game in the Premier League during the 2022-23 season, prompting him to seek a move away. Arsenal rejected approaches for him, wanting him to stay due to the multiple competitions they were competing in. However, Nelson’s game time has not improved much this season, with just five starts across all competitions, including a single Premier League start.
Arsenal Stance – No More Bench-Warming
Nelson is clearly not in Mikel Arteta’s plans, so selling him this summer is the ideal move for the North London side. Arsenal are likely to attempt to negotiate a permanent deal for the Englishman instead of a loan, but that will be tricky given Leicester’s potential relegation battle this season. Nelson’s departure would provide him with the regular playing time he seeks and give Arsenal ‘pure profit’ due to his status as a home-grown player.
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