Newcastle United are reportedly lining up a January swoop for promising Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah as they look to get out of the relegation muddle.
According to Fichajes, Newcastle United are considering a move for Arsenal youngster Eddie Nketiah as they look to strengthen their striking department.
Newcastle have wasted little time in getting their winter recruitment drive underway, with the signing of England defender Kieran Trippier on the horizon. Although shoring up the team’s spine is the priority for Eddie Howe, they can do well by adding more firepower to their attacking contingent, given their lack of goals.
As if the task of beating the drop was any easier, the Magpies were dealt a fresh setback when top-scorer Callum Wilson limped off during the side’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United last week and is reportedly set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines. Concerns that Wilson’s injury may be worse than first thought could significantly impact the club’s transfer plans in the January transfer window.
And according to the report, Newcastle could potentially be looking to raid Arsenal to solve their striker problems. The most high-profile player attracting the Magpies’ attention is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has recently been linked with a move to the North East. However, another Arsenal forward emerging on Newcastle’s January shopping list is Eddie Nketiah.
Nketiah has been on the books of Arsenal since 2015 but has struggled for consistent game time under Mikel Arteta, with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Martinelli, and Aubameyang largely preferred over him in the last couple of seasons. To date, the 22-year-old has only made 29 starts for the North London club across all competitions, boasting a respectable tally of 18 goals.
The England U-21 international has developed a penchant for producing excellent performances in cup competitions, evident by his recent hat-trick in his team’s 5-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Sunderland last month. The 22-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season. So the Gunners may be willing to sanction a move away to avoid losing the academy graduate for nothing in summer.
Nketiah could be a smart signing for the Magpies and could be a long-term fix. Versatile enough to play anywhere across the frontline, he clearly has an eye for goal and is a tenacious presser. He has decent dribbling skills, and his canny runs in between the defenders make him a real threat to the opposition backline.
Having said that, although the young forward has shown plenty of potential, his lack of experience is a slight concern, with Newcastle needing a more proven option to produce the goods in the final third and drag them out of the relegation zone.
Apart from Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace are other Premier League clubs competing for the signature of Eddie Nketiah. It remains to be seen whether Newcastle’s new-found wealth means they can move into pole position for the England U-21 international’s signature.