EXCLUSIVE: Fenerbahce monitoring Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah as Edin Dzeko replacement

Steve Kay

• Updated: 27 Feb 2024 17:47 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Turkish giants Fenerbahce are keeping a close eye on Eddie Nketiah’s situation at Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window, FootballTransfers has been told.

Nketiah, 24, was heavily linked with an Arsenal exit last year, but the Englishman remained at the Emirates Stadium instead.

However, sources have informed us that Fenerbahce have identified Nketiah as a possible replacement for Edin Dzeko, in the event the Bosnian striker leaves the club this summer.

Dzeko has scored 22 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions since joining Fenerbahce from Inter Milan in 2023, but he will turn 38 in March and his contract in Istanbul is due to expire in 2025.

Furthermore, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal offered Dzeko a two-year contract before he joined Fenerbahce last summer and a move to Saudi Arabia remains on the cards.

As a result, Fenerbahce have started searching for a long-term replacement and Nketiah has been added to their list of transfer targets.

The 24-year-old has dropped down the pecking order at Arsenal this season and he has not started a Premier League game in 2024, despite Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury. Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard have both been deployed through the middle in preference of Nketiah, and a summer departure is on the cards amid his lack of game time at Arsenal.

Who will sign Eddie Nketiah this summer?

Crystal Palace failed with a January offer for Nketiah, with Arsenal rejecting the south London club’s proposal, and they could rival Fenerbahce in the race to sign the English striker this summer. Borussia Dortmund are also admirers of Nketiah, although it remains to be seen if they act on their interest.

Arsenal have big hopes for 21-year-old forward Mika Biereth, currently on loan at SK Sturm Graz, and selling Nketiah in order to promote Biereth into the first-team next season is deemed a very realistic possibility.

Nketiah has six goals and five assists in 32 games for the Gunners so far this season, although only 13 of those appearances have been as starts.