Eddie Nketiah Transfer: Nottingham Forest Nearing Agreement with Arsenal

Nottingham Forest Pursues Eddie Nketiah: Latest Transfer News

Nottingham Forest is edging closer to matching Arsenal's valuation of over £30 million for striker Eddie Nketiah. Currently, negotiations are ongoing, and reports suggest that talks regarding personal terms are progressing positively as well.

Forest's Transfer Ambitions

Nketiah is not the only player on Forest's radar. The club is also monitoring Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez. With the transfer market buzzing, Forest's efforts to secure attacking talent reflect their ambitions for the upcoming season.

Arsenal's Current Situation

Crystal Palace has also shown interest in Nketiah, while Bournemouth had him on their shortlist before opting for Evanilson instead. Nketiah's current role at Arsenal appears uncertain, as he was recently an unused substitute in their victory against Wolves, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus receiving more game time.

Nketiah's Contract and Future

The England international has three years left on his contract but is looking to secure more regular first-team football. Despite making 27 Premier League appearances last season, only 10 were as a starter. As he has yet to start a top-flight game in 2024, his need for more opportunities has become apparent.

Could Arsenal Replace Nketiah?

Sky Sports' Sam Blitz suggested that while Arsenal has quality options in Havertz and Jesus, the departure of Nketiah could prompt the Gunners to explore the market for a new forward.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, expressed faith in the current squad, stating, "The best thing we can do is trust the players that we have and try to improve them." This sentiment indicates that Arsenal may not pursue a new striker, relying instead on Havertz and Jesus.

Financial Implications

If a deal for Nketiah is finalized, it could free up funds for Arsenal to target midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. While Nketiah's potential exit appears imminent, it's important to note that Arsenal's striking options might dwindle to just Havertz and Jesus, with Leandro Trossard as a backup.

Season Outlook for Arsenal

With Havertz recently scoring and assisting in the 2-0 win against Wolves, his transition to a striker role has been promising, boasting 17 goal contributions in 14 matches. Meanwhile, Jesus has shown positive form during pre-season, which reassures Arsenal fans about their attacking prowess.

Increased Priorities for the Gunners

Arsenal's transfer strategy may not only focus on replacing Nketiah, as there seems to be a significant priority in finding a backup for Bukayo Saka. If Reiss Nelson joins Nketiah, Saka may face a daunting challenge of almost playing every minute on the right flank.

Transfer Deadline Date

The 2024 summer transfer window will officially close on August 30 at 11 PM UK time for the Premier League and at 11:30 PM in Scotland. This alignment with other major European leagues aims to streamline the transfer process.

Alex Moreno Joins Nottingham Forest

In addition to pursuing Nketiah, Nottingham Forest recently completed the signing of full-back Alex Moreno from Aston Villa. The seasoned 31-year-old has agreed to a season-long loan, and Forest holds an option to convert this into a permanent deal.

Moreno contributed to Aston Villa's qualification for the Champions League last season, featuring 29 times in competitive matches. However, with new signings and players ahead of him in the pecking order, his move to Forest presents a fresh opportunity.

Conclusion

The coming weeks will be pivotal for both Nottingham Forest and Arsenal as they navigate their respective transfer strategies. With the deadline approaching, fans will closely watch how these negotiations unfold.