Arsenal finally close to necessary transfer as Mikel Arteta could make understandable U-turn
Arsenal continued their perfect start to the Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. Goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey helped continue their 100 per cent record in the Premier League after the Gunners beat Wolves on the opening weekend.
Although Mikel Arteta’s focus will be on their next game against Brighton, there is no doubt the Spaniard will have one eye on the end to the summer transfer window. The Gunners are looking to finalise their business before Friday’s 11pm deadline, having still got some work to do.
Arsenal are still looking to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. The 28-year-old has agreed to join the Gunners and the deal is expected to go through before the end of the month. Elsewhere, several players could leave the Emirates including Eddie Nketiah and Aaron Ramsdale. Below are the latest media reports from the Emirates…
Nketiah deal
Crystal Palace are closing in on the signing of Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal. The 25-year-old is set to leave the Emirates before the end of the transfer window after dropping down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.
It had been reported that Nottingham Forest were the frontrunners to sign him after the East Midlands club and Arsenal agreed a £30million deal. However, Nketiah turned down the chance to move to Forest and the move collapsed. That led to Palace jumping to the top of the queue for the former Leeds loanee.
Now, according to The Athletic, Palace are ‘close to agreeing a deal’ to sign Nketiah. It’s understood that Arsenal are expected to accept a Palace bid worth £25m plus £5m in add-ons. No issue is anticipated on personal terms, with Nketiah set to sign a long-term contract at Selhurst Park.
FL says: “This is a deal that does need to happen. Nketiah has been an unused substitute in both of their matches so far this season and has to move on to secure more game time. He is at a stage in his career where he should be playing regular football and Palace do feel like a good fit.
“There is uncertainty surrounding Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future at Selhurst Park, and if he does leave, then Nketiah has a better chance of becoming their first-choice marksman. Also, the fact Arsenal are set to get at least £25m for someone that hasn’t started a Premier League game in 2024 is very good business.”
Ramsdale talks
Wolves remain in talks with Arsenal over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as the Gunners shot-stopper looks to reinvigorate his career elsewhere following the arrival of David Raya this summer. The England international had his starting role pulled out from underneath him last summer when the Spaniard arrived from Brentford on a season-long loan deal but that was made permanent to the tune of £27m in early July.
It’s believed Ramsdale will cost Wolves around £20m, with an initial loan offer having been made last week. Over the weekend, Wolves boss Gary O’Neil warned that the club needed to be satisfied with their transfer business having sold Pedro Neto to Chelsea and Max Kilman to West Ham for nearly £100m.
FL says: “Like Nketiah, it does feel as though Ramsdale needs to be playing week-in-week out. Yes, he would no doubt get chances to impress at Arsenal as No.2 to Raya, but for me he requires that trust to be the first-choice and then exudes under that confidence. His opportunities with England would also increase if he is getting more game time. That could be crucial, especially now Lee Carsley is at the helm.
“As for Arsenal’s position in this deal, it would be completely understandable if they perform a U-turn and decide to keep Ramsdale and use him behind Raya this season. There isn’t many better second-choice goalkeepers in world football than Ramsdale and that could help keep Raya on his toes.”
