Arsenal and Marseille are in talks over a deal for striker Eddie Nketiah, and the French side have now made a fresh offer.
Marseille and Arsenal have struggled in their negotiations, with Arsenal setting a high asking price and the French club refusing to meet it.
However, Nketiah has agreed personal terms over a move, and this puts the ball in Marseille’s court, as Arsenal now cannot wait and see if a Premier League club comes in to place a higher bid.
Marseille’s initial offer was a loan deal with an obligation to buy, but they have now made a permanent bid, and as seen in the case of Emile Smith Rowe, a sale this summer would be hugely beneficial in terms of profit and sustainability rules.
Nketiah is keen on a move to Marseille, and former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now encouraged him to replace him in Ligue 1.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has told Eddie Nketiah to join Marseille from Arsenal
Aubameyang has revealed on X that he has told Nketiah to join Marseille this summer.
“Tell Nketiah to come to OM,” a fan posted to Aubameyang on X.
“Already done,” the former striker responded.
Marseille would be a good move for Eddie Nketiah
Whilst Arsenal will hope to maximise the fee they receive for Nketiah, it is clear that the striker is enthused by the idea of a move to Ligue 1.
Aubameyang left Marseille to move to Saudi Arabia this summer, and Nketiah will replace him there, having helped replace him at Arsenal in 2022.
Nketiah could thrive in a system which plays to his strengths and with regular game time, and a fresh start in a new league in France could see him explode in front of goal.
It is the right time to sell, with Nketiah failing to start a single Premier League game in 2024, but he is a player with strong experience under his belt, and Arsenal will not want to compromise on his potential transfer fee.
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