How Arsenal feel about losing ‘special’ star as Andrea Berta closes in on significant sale

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Reiss Nelson is expected to join Crystal Palace in a £15 million deal before the transfer window closes on Monday night, Arsenal Insider understands.

The Englishman made just 12 appearances across all competitions on loan at Fulham last season, with injuries derailing his temporary stint in West London.

Despite these fitness issues, a number of Premier League clubs have informed Arsenal of their interest in the player, including the Cottagers and Palace.

Palace are now leading the race to land Nelson, with Andrea Berta set to secure a significant sale for the Hale End graduate.

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Crystal Palace are ‘progressing’ in £15m deal for Reiss Nelson

Nelson is surplus to requirements at Arsenal.

The winger has been at the North London club since the age of nine, yet has made just 90 appearances since breaking into the first team in 2017.

Persistent injury issues have prevented him from ever playing regularly, in N5 and on his various loan spells, although this hasn’t stopped several potential suitors from emerging.

Fulham have been closely tracking Nelson’s situation this summer, although Marco Silva appears to have pivoted to AC Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze.

Palace, who have just lost Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, have instead emerged as the most keen suitors for the 25-year-old and are willing to stump up a significant fee to secure his services.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that Palace are ‘progressing’ in the deal for Nelson, and that the Gunners are ‘delighted’ to potentially be finding an exceptional move for their academy product.

“Fulham are now looking at Samuel Chukwueze, so now Palace are progressing with Nelson,” he said.

“It’s going to be a permanent deal as we know that’s what they’ve wanted. It looks like he’ll go. It looks like it will be £15 million on a permanent deal at this point, and he’s ready to go to Palace.

“Arsenal will be delighted to secure such a good move for one of their academy graduates, and also with the fee, of course. Nelson wanted to stay in London.”

£15 million for Reiss Nelson is excellent business for Arsenal

Nelson has been described as ‘special’ by Mikel Arteta in the past, and he certainly has some excellent attributes.

Technically gifted and relatively athletic, the wide forward has shown an ability to carry the ball and take players on in his limited outings at the top level.

Despite this, Nelson has hardly played in the Premier League over the last five or six years, and thus, it’s hard to truly gauge what his actual level is.

For this reason, any club looking to buy him is taking a risk, and the price should ultimately reflect that.

This, combined with his £100,000-a-week contract, makes it difficult for Arsenal to shift the player for a meaningful fee.

However, Berta is about to seal a £15 million move for him anyway, and this is excellent business from the Italian sporting director.