Marseille want Eddie Nketiah to replace another former Arsenal striker, but there’s one problem

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Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has been linked with several clubs ahead of a possible exit, but he will not go cheaply.

Nketiah started last season well, but did not start a single game in 2024, and has fallen down the pecking order behind Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard.

The Englishman could bring in a good fee as several clubs including Fulham have been linked, and if Nketiah leaves, his sale would be hugely beneficial for Arsenal in terms of PSR.

French side Olympique Marseille have now been linked with Nketiah, and he could follow Alexandre Lacazette and Folarin Balogun from Arsenal to Ligue 1. If he does join Marseille, Nketiah would replace a former Arsenal star.

Eddie Nketiah could replace former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Marseille

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shone at Marseille last season, and became the top scorer in the history of the Europa League.

However, the former Arsenal captain, who left the club in 2022, will now move to Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah, and Marseille will be looking to replace him.

“Pierre Emerick Aubameyang says goodbye to OM fans as he’s leaving the club, as expected. Auba will join Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah on two year contract,” Fabrizio Romano posted on X.

French outlet La Provence have now revealed that whilst Marseille are interested in Nketiah as a replacement for Aubameyang, they are currently unable to match what Arsenal want for the striker, with the Ligue 1 side unable to go above £16.8m at this moment in time.

Arsenal players moving to Marseille

If Nketiah does end up at Marseille, he will be the latest in a long line of former Arsenal players to have moved there in recent years.

Aubameyang moved there last year, after Matteo Guendouzi and Sead Kolasinac departed for Serie A sides Lazio and Atalanta.

Nuno Tavares also had an unsuccessful loan spell in Marseille, which also saw him line up alongside Alexis Sanchez.

Unlike the others, who moved there for low fees or for free, Nketiah will command a fairly hefty price tag, but it remains to be seen who is willing or able to pay it.