Arsenal in talks with Premier League rivals over striker deal – Ornstein

Arsenal are in talks with Nottingham Forest over Eddie Nketiah, according to David Ornstein.

The Gunners remain open to selling the striker after his move to Olympique Marseille fell through. After rejecting two bids, Arsenal agreed to lower their demands but by that point, the Ligue 1 side had moved on to Elye Wahi, who joined in a €30 million deal.

Since then, however, clubs have continued to express their interest in Nketiah and Arsenal are willing to listen to offers due to their desire to bring in at least one more major signing.

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Mikel Merino is on the verge of joining from Real Sociedad for €30m, but the Gunners will have to complete a sale to balance the books. Nketiah remains the most likely candidate in the squad to be offloaded and it seems that things are moving in the right direction.

Arsenal in Forest talks

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal are in talks with Nottingham Forest over a deal for Nketiah. Though the Gunners have knocked an opening bid back, negotiations remain ongoing.

Forest offered around €30m, but Arsenal are holding out for €35m-€40m, Ornstein reports. He further states that Nketiah has become the top target for the side from the City Ground.

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Forest have also been in talks with Feyenoord over Santiago Gimenez, but the Arsenal striker is the current priority. Talks with the player’s camp are taking place simultaneously in a bid to reach an agreement on personal terms.

Crystal Palace are long-time admirers of Nketiah, but they have so far refused to firm up their interest and open club-to-club talks. Bournemouth were also briefly linked with the 25-year-old but ultimately decided to sign Brazilian striker Evanilson from Porto for a club-record €37m to replace Dominic Solanke.