According to David Ornstein of the Athletic, Arsenal have rejected a £25 million bid from Nottingham Forest for striker Eddie Nketiah.
The Hale End graduate is facing a rough time at the Emirates since he is yet to find a future club. The Gunners have received numerous for the 25-year-old but they haven’t finalised a deal.
French side Marseille agreed terms with the player this month but decided to sign Lens’ star Elye Wahi. They abandoned the deal leaving Nketiah in limbo.
WILL EDDIE NKETIAH END UP AT FOREST?
Four Premier League clubs have recently been linked with their academy graduate. Bournemouth enquired but decided to splash a club record fee for Porto ace Evanilson. Hence, their rumours look dead in the water.
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Meanwhile, Everton are looking for a loan move for Nketiah, but Arsenal only prefer a permanent transfer. Sean Dyche’s side needs a fresh attacking makeover after the fans witnessed a shambolic performance against Brighton last week.
Forest are more serious in this race and have already placed their first bid of £25m including add-ons for the English ace. However, Arsenal rejected this offer as they are holding for £30-35m for their prized asset. The West Bridgford side have returned with a £28 M rising to £31M bid for Eddie Nketiah, according to Arsenal23Wenger on his patreon. They want the player integrated before next weekend.
Crystal Palace are also interested but Forest are way ahead of everyone.
HOW WILL EDDIE NKETIAH FIT INTO NOTTINGHAM FOREST’S PLANS?
Nketiah has performed when given consistent game time. He has taken opportunities with both hands and is hungry to score bangers for a new club.
The talented striker will find a lot of space at Forest given the status of their squad. Senior striker Chris Wood has been their number-one starter. He scored 14 times in 31 appearances last season and also netted his first goal of the 2024/25 PL campaign for coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s side against Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Nketiah was an unused substitute against Wolves which is a worrying sign. He has fallen down the pecking order with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus being guaranteed starters.
Hence, a move to the City Ground makes perfect sense. He will be a smart understudy to Wood and a long-term investment in Forest. The English ace has enough experience to start games regularly as Wood is slowly moving to the wrong side of the 30s.
The East Midlands club is also scouting Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez, who is a target for Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners would make sure that they wrap up a move for Nketiah as soon as possible or risk facing another Marseille-type situation.
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Securing the transfer will help Arsenal financially and they could use these funds to target a winger or a new striker. We hope that their talks with Forest end on a positive note.
