Following the sale of Folarin Balogun last year, Arsenal are hoping to cash in on another academy graduate this summer, Eddie Nketiah. But with the latest Nketiah transfer price tag believed to be £40m, it would be a bit of a gamble for whoever snares him.
That said, Nketiah has proven himself a capable striker over the years, scores goals reliably and has bags of energy. Such qualities are always desirable, and three London clubs are all interested in the England international.
London (still) calling
West Ham are looking for a long-term replacement for Michail Antonio, Crystal Palace will offer Nketiah the chance to spearhead a ferocious attack including Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, and have tried to bring him to Selhurst Park in the past.
But according to reports, Fulham also want his signature, and getting it will reunite him with old academy teammate Alex Iwobi and rival Rodrigo Muniz.
Down on the south coast, meanwhile, Bournemouth are also interested in Nketiah as a potential replacement for Dominic Solanke, should he depart in the summer.
‘Not quite' for Nketiah
Nketiah joined Arsenal from Chelsea as a 14-year-old, and lit up the Arsenal academy. The now-24-year-old scored a brace on his senior debut off the bench against Norwich City in 2017, and was tipped for big things by Arsene Wenger.
But despite averaging a goal every other game across his seven senior seasons in red, Nketiah has never been the main striker at Arsenal, seeing his path blocked by expensive acquisitions such as Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabriel Jesus.
Even with Jesus suffering from injuries this season, Mikel Arteta has preferred Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard as central options to Nketiah.
With Arsenal eyeing a big-money move for a striker this summer, the chance to bank £40m for Nketiah – all of which will be profit on account of being an academy product – is one that Mikel Arteta will likely not turn down.
