Mikel Arteta is reportedly open to keeping Eddie Nketiah at Arsenal beyond the summer transfer window, with his Marseille move close to collapsing.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on HITC, Eddie Nketiah is the subject of interest from Marseille. However, the Ligue 1 giants are close to moving away from the deal to sign the Arsenal academy graduate, with the North London club valuing him at £50 million. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta is open to keeping hold of the English striker beyond the summer transfer window.
The Eddie Nketiah story
Eddie Nketiah has made considerable progress since joining Arsenal from Chelsea in 2015. The Englishman spent most of his formative years with the West London club but graduated from the Gunners’ youth division several years ago.
However, the 25-year-old has struggled to stamp his authority at Arsenal in the last few years despite being a part of the first-team squad throughout Mikel Arteta’s stint with the North London club. Nketiah has turned out over 150 times thus far for Arsenal while chipping in with 38 goals and seven assists.
Eddie Nketiah’s exploits also helped him break into his national side, as he made his England debut last year. However, the English striker’s international exploits appear bleak if he remains with Arsenal. He does not have a shortage of clubs pursuing his signature, with Premier League outfits and Marseille among his prospective suitors.
Will Marseille sign Nketiah this summer?
Marseille’s interest in Eddie Nketiah is understandable. While the Ligue 1 giants have signed Mason Greenwood from Manchester United, they are keen on landing another striker after parting ways with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the former Arsenal captain joining Saudi Pro League upstart Al-Qadsiah.
Nketiah has thus emerged as a viable target for Marseille, with personal terms not an issue for either party. However, the two clubs have failed to find common ground on transfer fees, with Arsenal demanding £50 million to part ways with the Englishman. Meanwhile, the Ligue 1 giants have recently failed with a bid worth £20 million.
Marseille will unlikely cough up £50 million to secure Eddie Nketiah’s services. So, the 25-year-old English striker’s Ligue 1 move will collapse, although Mikel Arteta is open to keeping him at Arsenal beyond the summer transfer window.
