Reiss Nelson is close to leaving Arsenal and joining Fulham, either on loan with an option to buy or on a permanent deal.
The Gunners have made six signings already this summer, and Andrea Berta is subsequently turning his attention to outgoings.
Nelson has returned to Arsenal training, but is understood to be one of the players Berta is looking to shift this summer.
According to The Athletic, Fulham are now advancing on a deal for Nelson, with the North Londoners pushing for the Cottagers to agree to buy the winger, rather than acquire him temporarily.
With that said, here are four players who may be impacted by the Hale End star’s departure.
Winners from Reiss Nelson’s potential Arsenal departure
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke signed for Arsenal from Chelsea for £52 million earlier this month.
The wide forward is expected to provide cover and competition for Bukayo Saka on the right, whilst also competing for minutes off the left.
This is a role Nelson has previously filled at the Emirates, and the 25-year-old’s departure means Madueke now has one player fewer with whom he has to compete for minutes.
Max Dowman
Max Dowman has excelled during Arsenal’s pre-season thus far, and many fans are now convinced he will play a meaningful role in the first team next campaign.
However, still just 15, the likelihood of the starlet featuring significantly is slim, as he continues to develop physically and technically in the youth teams.
That said, minutes Mikel Arteta may have given to Nelson in cup competitions could now be attributed to Dowman.
The youngster has demonstrated that he’s more than capable of playing against men, and will surely be granted opportunities in the cups, now that a squad player like Nelson isn’t blocking his path.
Losers from Reiss Nelson’s potential Arsenal departure
Bukayo Saka
Nelson’s departure is unlikely to impact Saka on the pitch all that much.
However, Nelson was the final remaining Hale End graduate from Saka’s generation still at the North London club, with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock all leaving in recent years.
Saka grew up with these aforementioned players, and is now the last man standing.
From an emotional perspective, the Gunners’ talisman may somewhat mourn the loss of Nelson in Arsenal’s squad.
Ethan Nwaneri
Similarly to Saka, Ethan Nwaneri may suffer from Nelson leaving, purely from a soft factor perspective.
Arsenal have reportedly earmarked a central role for Nwaneri next season, and thus, Nelson’s exit will hardly impact his game time.
However, the 25-year-old was likely a role model for the 18-year-old, helping guide him through the process of being highly-rated as a youth player and developing at Arsenal.
Nelson is one of the only players who will have been able to resonate with Nwaneri, and the young star is now losing an important figure to him in the dressing room.
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