Arsenal have done something unacceptable with one of their ‘really special’ players that has cost them millions

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have largely improved on the transfer front in recent years, both in terms of signings and player retention.

Previously, Arsenal allowed star players to get too close to the end of their contracts far too often, resulting in rivals snapping them up for cheap.

Conversely, the Gunners then went too far the other way, offering big contracts to players who then went on to disappoint.

However, there is one player at Arsenal who the Gunners have failed to make the most of on the transfer front and who has been costing the club a fair amount.

READ MORE: ‘Sad times’… Arsenal fans fuming over decision they feel could mean ‘goodbye to the title’

Arsenal should have already cashed in on Reiss Nelson

The player in question is Reiss Nelson, who Arsenal really should have cashed in on last summer when they had the perfect opportunity to do so.

Nelson is a quality player, but the Gunners have seen him as surplus to requirements for a while now.

Last summer, Arsenal decided to let Nelson join Fulham on loan without an option or obligation to buy.

Admittedly, the Gunners may have thought that the straight loan deal would have put Nelson in the shop window, ahead of a big move this summer.

However, there hasn’t been all that much interest in Nelson this summer, save for Fulham.

And The Independent recently reported that Nelson would prefer to go out on loan again this season – he doesn’t want Arsenal to sell him just yet.

Next summer, Nelson will have just 12 months left on his contract, which would be disastrous for how much Arsenal could expect for him in the market.

In addition, Nelson is reported to be on £100,000-a-week wages, which is a big amount for the Gunners to be paying on a player who they’re not planning to use any time soon.

While it’s unclear whether Fulham paid any of Nelson’s wages last season, Arsenal would have still been paying hundreds of thousands of pounds in wages during the off-season.

Add the potential decrease in transfer value from not cashing in on Nelson last summer, and the Gunners would have easily lost millions overall.

READ MORE: Paul Merson says Arsenal have a player who’s reminding him of Thierry Henry

Fulham’s interest in Reiss Nelson

Luckily for Arsenal, Fulham are definitely keen on Nelson, with negotiations under way over the “really special” winger.

Arsenal Insider revealed earlier this month that Fulham are working on a deal to sign Nelson.

The Gunners are understood to be pushing for either a permanent departure or a loan with an obligation to buy, while Fulham want a temporary deal with an option.

In addition, Alex Iwobi revealed that “a lot of people are pressuring” Nelson from the Fulham end, “trying to find out what is going on” regarding his future.