Arsenal could now hand Reiss Nelson a parting gift as Fulham move edges closer

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Arsenal are now focused on selling players after sealing the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, with Reiss Nelson one of those set for an exit.

Gyokeres completed his move from Sporting CP over a week ago now, becoming the Gunners’ sixth signing of the summer.

While Arsenal still want to acquire Eberechi Eze, they need to create squad space for the Crystal Palace man by sanctioning some departures.

Nelson has become a peripheral figure in N5, surplus to requirements under Mikel Arteta, and is subsequently set to leave for Fulham.

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Arsenal could help Reiss Nelson by also selling Oleksandr Zinchenko to Fulham

Arsenal are expected to reach an agreement with Fulham over a deal for Nelson soon.

The Gunners want the winger to join the Cottagers permanently, while Marco Silva is keen on another loan deal with an option to buy.

The two clubs are likely to compromise, with Nelson understood to be West London-bound.

Fulham are building a growing core of former Arsenal players in their squad, with the likes of Bernd Leno, Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi already plying their trade at Craven Cottage.

Nelson could become the latest ex-Gunners star to become a permanent member of Silva’s squad, although the Portuguese manager doesn’t appear to want to stop there in raiding Arteta’s ensemble.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is a target for Fulham, with Silva reportedly eager to acquire the Ukrainian, who, like Nelson, is surplus to requirements at the Emirates.

The left-back has fallen behind Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order at Arsenal, who want to move the player on and free up their wage bill.

The Gunners are always keen to safeguard their academy graduates’ careers and want to see them flourish wherever they go.

Selling Zinchenko to Fulham, alongside Nelson, would help the 25-year-old wide forward in his future endeavours in West London.

Having spent time playing with the former Manchester City man on the left under Arteta, Nelson has a good understanding with Zinchenko.

The Hale End graduate knows how the defender operates on the ball, knows how to time his runs to receive the ball from him and would thus be more likely to hit the ground running next season with Zinchenko playing behind him.

Oleksandr Zinchenko would be an excellent signing for Fulham

It’s possible that Zinchenko wouldn’t actually play at left-back for Fulham.

Silva favours more conventional full-backs and has Antonee Robinson, an excellent left-back, at his disposal.

The Ukraine international is unlikely to usurp the American, and could instead be acquired as a midfielder, a position he played in during his younger days and for his country.

This wouldn’t necessarily prevent Zinchenko from linking up and combining with Nelson, as he’d likely be deployed on the left-hand side of Fulham’s midfield trio, and would be able to feed the winger in space consistently.

The 28-year-old’s reputation has been damaged over the last two seasons, but he remains an excellent passer, and would add ball progression to a Fulham side that currently lacks this attribute in the middle of the park.

It hasn’t quite worked out for him at Arsenal over the last 12 months, but Zinchenko can still contribute at a mid-table Premier League club.