Crystal Palace has joined the list of clubs interested in signing Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah, according to a reliable transfer source.
The 22-year-old has struggled to secure significant playing time with the Gunners and may be tempted by a move. He made just four Premier League starts out of 17 appearances in 2020-2021 and scored two goals in the top flight. The former England Under-21 ace has played just 65 times for North Londoners over four seasons, scoring 13 goals.
He spent the 2019-2020 campaign on loan with Leeds United and had problems with coach Marcelo Bielsa. But a report last week suggested that whites he had been ‘offered’ the striker permanently.
The talented youngster saw plenty of Europa League action for Arsenal, making eight appearances in Europe’s second division competition. But it is a regular game time that he looks forward to and is unlikely to come in the Emirates.
Athletic reported last week that Arsenal have offered them a new contract. You have 12 months to perform your current contract and are said to have rejected the terms.
That may well open the door for a summer change and you won’t be short of suitors. Renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has taken to Twitter to reveal who is stalking the young man.
The Italian says Bayer Leverkusen has been “pushing for months” to secure his signature. West Ham United and Watford are also said to have an interest, but Palace are the new kids on the block.
The Eagles don’t have a coach yet, but offseason recruiting plans are already underway. They are said to have their eyes on Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey while young Chelsea Conor Gallagher it’s a long-term goal.
It remains to be seen which way the new manger will go, but Nketiah he is a player full of potential.
Nketiah needs regular exhaustion to prove himself
The former Chelsea youth star was unable to play the full 90 minutes in any league games last season. Mikel Arteta used it 17 times but totaled only 413 minutes of action throughout the campaign.
In truth, it is still not clear exactly what it can do and it needs to be given a series of 10-15 games to show its true colors. The Wilfried Zaha The expected departure from South London would certainly help.
But it will all depend on the new man at the helm and whether he feels like a kick in Lewisham’s man.
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