Eddie Nketiah Transfer News: Nottingham Forest Approaches Arsenal's Valuation

Nottingham Forest in Pursuit of Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah

Nottingham Forest is on the verge of reaching an agreement with Arsenal regarding a transfer for striker Eddie Nketiah, with discussions indicating that the bid will exceed £30 million. This potential deal is part of Forest's efforts to strengthen their forward options.

Ongoing Negotiations and Player Interests

While negotiations with Arsenal are ongoing, Forest is also considering other striker options, including Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez. Nketiah has also garnered interest from Crystal Palace and was previously on Bournemouth's radar before they secured Evanilson.

Nketiah's Current Status

Recently, Nketiah was an unused substitute as Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory against Wolves. Despite making 27 Premier League appearances last season, he only started in 10 games and has yet to start this season. With three years remaining on his contract, Nketiah is seeking a move that will allow him to gain more consistent first-team action.

Arsenal's Forward Options Moving Forward

Amid discussions of Nketiah's potential exit, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has downplayed the need for a new striker, expressing confidence in Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. After the match against Wolves, Arteta stated, "The best thing we can do is trust the players that we have and try improve them." This suggests that Arsenal might rely on their existing squad depth for the upcoming season.

Future Financial Plans

The potential sale of Nketiah would not only help Nottingham Forest, but could also aid Arsenal in financing a deal for Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. If Nketiah’s move goes through, Arsenal may start the new season with Havertz and Jesus as their primary forward options.

Havertz's Recent Performance

In the match against Wolves, Havertz showcased his talent by scoring once and assisting another goal, indicating his effectiveness as a striker. He has already recorded 17 goal contributions in just 14 games as a forward.

Additional Transfers: Alex Moreno Joins Forest

In other transfer news, Forest has secured Alex Moreno on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, with an option to make the deal permanent. Moreno played a significant role for Villa last season, helping them in their Champions League qualification. However, he has since fallen down the hierarchy with the arrival of new signings.

What’s Next?

The summer transfer window will officially close on August 30 at 11pm UK time. Clubs across the Premier League are racing against the clock to finalize their squads for the upcoming season. It's expected that the imminent transfer of Nketiah to Nottingham Forest could trigger further movements within both clubs.

Conclusion

As the transfer window winds down, all eyes will be on Nottingham Forest and Arsenal, particularly regarding the fate of Eddie Nketiah. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how this move will reshape both teams as they prepare for the 2024 season.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as negotiations continue.