Eddie Nketiah is on the verge of signing a new deal with Arsenal, thus making a dramatic U-turn on his plans to depart on a free transfer.
According to The Athletic, Eddie Nketiah is close to committing his long-term future at Arsenal after the club tabled a new five-year contract. After inching closer to the exit door on a free transfer, the impending renewal is a dramatic U-turn from the striker.
Eddie Nketiah is seemingly ready to commit his future at Arsenal after considering the club’s latest contract offer. The striker had rebuffed at least two previous attempts by the Gunners, and Mikel Arteta was resigned to losing the 22-year-old on a free transfer.
However, the last few weeks have convinced the striker that his future is in north London. Arsenal were planning to make a final contract offer and have reportedly tabled a five-year deal for the forward.
Despite widespread interest from Crystal Palace, West Ham and others, Nketiah is now likely to remain at Arsenal.
Eddie Nketiah will stay at Arsenal, as reported by @SamiMokbel81_DM and @David_Ornstein. The decision has been made – nothing signed yet. ⚪️? #AFC
Nketiah will pen a new long term deal – Eddie has decided to turn down Bundesliga and PL club proposals to stay at Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/VbrylxDRW7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 25, 2022
Arsenal have been looking at strikers and remain close to bringing in a few names in the next weeks. Gabriel Jesus is linked with a move, and so is Victor Osimhen, as Arteta’s eyes a new leading striker to add more firepower to his frontline. These stars were always considered to replace the outgoing Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who left in January.
In recent weeks, Arteta decided to start games with Nketiah as the leading striker, and the 22-year-old took this opportunity brightly by scoring five times in seven games. His form managed to keep Lacazette out of the side in the final phase of the season, with fans urging the club to keep the academy product.
Now, Arteta and the board have managed to convince the striker to prolong his stay at Arsenal. Nketiah is expected to sign the new deal imminently and commit his best years in north London. The move will not deter the Gunners from searching for a high-profile striker, which is deemed necessary irrespective of the 22-year-old staying.
It could well make the club sign just one new striker instead of two, letting Arteta focus his efforts on other areas of his squad in the market. Nketiah’s imminent extension is good news for the club, who could now look forward to the 22-year-old competing with the new arrival in the summer window.
