A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Reiss Nelson sets his stance on a transfer to West Ham United after the Gunners said goodbye to a ‘dynamic’ academy prospect.
Arsenal target Riccardo Calafiori is ‘more ready for the Premier League’ than Joshua Zirkzee
Arsenal target Riccardo Calafiori is ‘more ready for the Premier League’ than Joshua Zirkzee as Manchester United close in on a transfer for his Bologna teammate. I Rossoblu may now lose two of their main players this summer with talks ongoing to finalise the pair’s transfers.
Zirkzee travelled to Old Trafford after England dumped the Netherlands out of Euro 2024 to undergo a medical on Friday. Manchester United have agreed on a €42.5m (£36m) fee with Bologna they will spread over three years, per The Athletic. And Calafiori might now follow.
Mikel Arteta has set Arsenal a deadline to sign Calafiori before their pre-season of the USA as talks continue over Bologna’s £42m price tag, per football.london. The Gunners want to welcome the Italy star to north London early enough for him to get settled into their squad.
Italian football expert Manuel Minguzzi is convinced that Calafiori has what it takes to be a success in England. The Tuttobologna editor even told football.london: “Calafiori was born a full-back but Thiago Motta turned him into a centre-back.
“But I see him as better central defender. Honestly, I see Calafiori as more ready than Zirkzee for the Premier League. Riccardo is a top player now, Joshua has yet to fully prove it.”
Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson is open to a transfer to West Ham United
Hale End product Reiss Nelson is now open to quitting Arsenal and sealing a transfer to West Ham United this summer. That is according to GiveMeSport, which reports that the 24-year-old wants to remain in London should he leave Emirates Stadium after a disappointing term.
Nelson only featured in 15 Premier League fixtures for 257 minutes last season and enjoyed a mere one start. A lack of trust from Mikel Arteta in N5 has frustrated the forward, who will now consider offers. West Ham also see Nelson as an ideal name to challenge Jarrod Bowen.
Game time will be the vital factor in Nelson agreeing a transfer away from Arsenal as he bids for minutes. The forward’s sole start last term came as Arsenal beat Luton Town 2-0 in April as manager Arteta reacted to Bukayo Saka missing the encounter due to the winger’s injury.
Read more about Arsenal product Nelson’s position on a transfer to West Ham, here.
Luton boss Rob Edwards shares ‘important’ reason Reuell Walters quit Arsenal
Luton Town head coach Rob Edwards has revealed that Reuell Walters quit Arsenal as they offered a better senior pathway. The Hatters announced the signing of the 19-year-old this Thursday after his decision to turn down a new contract at Emirates Stadium this summer.
Arsenal offered Walters a fresh contract before his previous terms expired on June 30. But it was not enough to convince the right-back to stay after four years in their youth fold. He left the Gunners after failing to make a first-team appearance over 20 times in matchday squads.
Mikel Arteta had Walters on Arsenal’s bench for 16 Premier League games, including eight in 2023/24. But he never trusted the England U20 prospect to feature. Now, Edwards is thrilled to welcome Walters to Luton after convincing him they boast a better pathway than Arsenal.
“Reuell is a person we are delighted to bring into the club,” Edwards told the Luton website. “He’s a really exciting signing – a dynamic, quick [and] talented young player. He’s had a brilliant upbringing at a couple of top clubs and we are so pleased to get his move done.
“[The senior] pathway is very important to him. That is one of the reasons why he is leaving Arsenal. He had a number of inviting options but we are so glad that he chose us, and sees us as the right step to take on his journey now.”
Read more about what Luton boss Edwards has said after signing Walters, here.
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