Crystal Palace have enquired about Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah and are ready to pay £10 million for the 22-year-old.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Crystal Palace are keen to sign Eddie Nketiah in the next few days and have sounded out a £10 million offer for the striker. While Arsenal are prepared to sell the 22-year-old, they are demanding a £20 million fee. There are other clubs chasing the England U-21 star, with one from Germany.
Arsenal have endured a disastrous start to the Premier League season, losing their opening two games to Brentford and Chelsea. Both games ended with a similar scoreline, with the Gunners yet to score a single goal this term. That brings the striker problem at the club in focus.
Arsenal have missed the services of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah due to Covid and injury problems. Nketiah suffered an ankle blow at the end of pre-season and will be out for at least two weeks more. The injury might not affect his transfer plans, as there is strong interest from other clubs.
While Arsenal have been content with his performances, the striker only has a year left on his current deal. The club are prepared to let him go on loan, but on the condition, he signs a new contract. Nketiah has refused to agree on a deal so far, leaving the Gunners with no choice but to sell him on.
There has been significant interest, with Brighton and Crystal Palace pondering a deal. The Seagulls wanted to sign him as part of Ben White’s agreement to join Arsenal, although nothing transpired. Now Crystal Palace are showing keen interest in signing him before the transfer window ends.
Patrick Vieira has built a decent squad considering the number of players that departed the club at the end of last season. With the ex-Arsenal captain focused on bringing young players, he could sign Nketiah to add a new dimension to his attacking options.
Palace have already sounded out Arsenal over a possible deal worth £10 million, with another unnamed German club willing to offer similar terms. However, the north London giants are demanding nearly £20 million from suitors for a player in the last year of his deal.
The London club might negotiate terms and hopefully come to a middle ground with Arsenal over the demanded fee. The Gunners are keen on selling the player to recoup some funds in the market. The north London side recently crossed the £125 million mark on spending with Aaron Ramsdale being their latest signing, arriving in a deal worth up to £30 million.
As for Palace, they will likely have to come back for the striker with an improved offer. With Arsenal keen on cashing in on Nketiah, a deal could materialise and the 22-year-old could prove to be a shrewd signing for Vieira and the Eagles.