Crystal Palace are about to take another step closer to signing Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.
Eddie Nketiah is set to say farewell to Arsenal after nearly a decade in North London.
Crystal Palace recently bid for Nketiah, and progress has been made swiftly since then.
Arsenal are clearly not planning to block the Hale End academy graduate’s exit – indeed, his departure has been brewing all summer.
Marseille pushed to sign Nketiah, but were ultimately unable to come to an agreement with the Gunners.
Nottingham Forest also wanted Nketiah, but ultimately switched their focus to an alternative target.
It would now seem, though, that the Eagles will succeed where others failed and get this deal over the line.
David Ornstein reveals Arsenal will allow Eddie Nketiah medical
According to journalist David Ornstein, reporting on X, Arsenal have now “granted permission” for Nketiah to undertake a medical, prior to confirming his switch to Selhurst Park.
However, there is still more work to do before the transfer can be officially announced. Crystal Palace and Arsenal are still hammering out the final details of the agreement, which will ultimately be worth around £30 million to the North London club.
This looks to be a transfer that will suit all involved. Arsenal sporting director Edu will be delighted to have fetched his desired fee for a player who clearly wasn’t in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old will stand an excellent chance of establishing himself as a regular starter for the South London outfit. At this stage in his career, the once-capped England international needs to be playing regular football, and it has been clear for some time that he was never going to be granted that opportunity at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal sales to follow Eddie Nketiah
Including Nketiah, four Arsenal players were tipped to leave this week.
Reiss Nelson now looks set to remain at the Emirates Stadium this season though, and he will be needed to provide strength in depth.
However, Aaron Ramsdale could still be prised away from the Emirates Stadium. The goalkeeper has been playing second fiddle to David Raya since early last season, but is too good to merely be a bench-warmer.
Raya has impressed recently, and has now firmly established himself as Arteta’s first choice shot-stopper. There is no chance of Ramsdale regaining the Arsenal No. 1 spot, so he needs a move away to get his career back on track.
Due to a dearth of alternative goalkeeper options to provide back up for Raya, though, Ramsdale would need to be replaced immediately. Joan Garcia is being targeted for this reason.
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