A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Reiss Nelson reveals where ‘my heart is’ and Mikel Arteta finds an alternative transfer target to Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Reiss Nelson admits where ‘my heart is’ amid chances for an Arsenal exit
Hale End product Nelson has stated that ‘all my heart’ is with Arsenal and he would reject a return to Feyenoord. The 24-year-old spent the 2021/22 campaign with the Dutch team and produced a fruitful loan spell. But he has only remained on the fringes back in north London.
Nelson gave Feyenoord four goals and seven assists in 32 appearances in all competitions. Yet Mikel Arteta only trusted the attacker to play 18 games for Arsenal last season, featuring three goals and three assists. He has also only played 13 times this term for 472 minutes yet.
Arteta afforded Nelson 89 of his minutes for the season so far on Tuesday night against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. It was only his third start of the term, too. But Nelson has no appetite for a return to Feyenoord right now, despite his bond with coach Arne Slot.
“Me and the coach have got a good relationship,” Nelson told RTL Nieuws. “I helped them a few years ago and it was a great time. They helped me develop really well. But I signed a new contract with Arsenal and all my heart is with Arsenal, right now.”
Read more about what Nelson has had to say about his immediate future at Arsenal, here.
Arsenal step up their interest in Joao Palhinha as an alternative to Douglas Luiz
Arsenal are stepping up their interest in Fulham star Joao Palhinha after seeing their dreams over the transfer of Aston Villa midfielder Luiz vanish. That is according to Football Transfers, which reports that Luiz is Arteta’s top target but would cost the Gunners £110m in January.
Arteta is desperate to add a new defensive midfielder to his ranks at Emirates Stadium next month. But Arsenal are loath to shop in the price range that Aston Villa believe Luiz is worth. So, the north Londoners have turned their attention to Palhinha as he might only cost £50m.
Bayern Munich intend to return to Fulham and hold fresh negotiations in January after they failed to clinch Palhinha’s transfer in the summer. But Arsenal are having internal discussions about a rival move given the substantially cheaper deal they could agree with the Cottagers.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Palhinha’s transfer from Fulham, here.
Juventus set their price tag for Arsenal transfer target Kenan Yildiz
As well as seeking new midfielders in January, Arteta is also interested in Arsenal signing an attacker and has Juventus gem Kenan Yildiz on their shortlist. But reports by Calciomercato now note that the Bianconeri value the striker at €35-40m (£30-34.5m) with Liverpool keen.
Juventus have no interest in selling Yildiz next month but the 18-year-old may pursue a new adventure. He is desperate to play continuously after a bit-part season so far in Turin. Yildiz has only featured in five Serie A matches for 36 minutes and is yet to score a top-flight goal.
Yildiz’s five Serie A appearances so far this season mark the three-cap Turkey international’s only senior action of his career. The former Bayern Munich talent made his first-team debut in August against Udinese. Now, Arsenal believe his potential can explode in north London.
Read more about Juventus’ stance on a January transfer for Arsenal target Yildiz, here.
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