Marseille offer for Eddie Nketiah now branded as ‘nonsense’ as Arsenal set new valuation

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Arsenal look likely to let Eddie Nketiah leave this summer, and talks are ongoing over a loan deal with an obligation to buy with Marseille.

Nketiah is reportedly keen on a move to the Ligue 1 side, where he would replace former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

However, a problem has arisen as Marseille and Arsenal are miles apart in their valuation of Nketiah. Arsenal want a straight sale, but could be willing to accept a loan with an obligation to buy.

Marseille want to sign him with an option to buy, and at a much lower fee than Arsenal would like for the 25-year-old.

Arsenal set new valuation for Eddie Nketiah

Arsenal Insider understands that there is little chance Marseille would be able to offer a fee close to their valuation of Nketiah now, which is why they would accept a loan with an obligation clause, having already agreed personal terms with Nketiah.

French outlet La Provence have now claimed that Arsenal want £42m for Nketiah, and this is a fair fee for an England International who has scored 38 goals for the club.

Marseille are unable to afford this in this window, but if they cannot raise their offer to a loan with obligation around that price tag, then they may not be able to land the Arsenal striker.

Arsenal valuation of Eddie Nketiah in relation to Jhon Duran and Emile Smith Rowe

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has been strongly linked with West Ham, with a mooted fee of around £40m, and Marseille’s reported valuation of Nketiah at around £25m has now been laughed off.

“£50m is maybe a bit unrealistic for Eddie, but he’s worth way more than £25m,” journalist Charles Watts stated on his YouTube channel.

“I think £40m is a very good number for someone like Eddie, I would say in this market. He’s English, Premier League proven, he scores goals. I just think £25m, no way.

“If Emile Smith Rowe is going for a deal that’s going to eventually reach about £35m, as much as I love Smith Rowe – he barely played for the last two years and has not scored for a couple of seasons.

“Eddie on the other hand, has played a fair amount, he’s scored goals, he’s got to go for more than £25m. I think £25m would be a nonsense for Eddie Nketiah.”

Nketiah right now should be worth more than Smith Rowe given his injury record and performances over the last two seasons, and given that he is vastly more proven than Duran, he should also command a higher fee than the Aston Villa striker.