Arsenal FINALLY unlock transfer - but it could already be too late

Tom Weber

Updated: 7 Aug 2024 18:25 BST
3 min read

Arsenal have softened their stance on the sale of Eddie Nketiah, according to French media.

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The Gunners have been in talks with Olympique Marseille for Nketiah for weeks, but no breakthrough has as yet been reached. This has been due to Arsenal's 'unreasonable' demands regarding a transfer fee.

It has been reported that the Premier League side's valuation of the 25-year-old was 'ocean's apart' from the money their Ligue 1 counterparts were prepared to pay for a striker who was merely third-choice last season.

Nketiah is keen on the move and has agreed personal terms with the ambitious Marseille project under Robert de Zerbi, but Arsenal's demands meant that the deal was stalling.

Now, however, things are moving again, but it may already be too late for Arsenal to raise funds from his sale.

Arsenal soften stance but Marseille move on

According to Footmercato, Arsenal have significantly softened their stance on Nketiah's potential exit and their demands are described as more 'reasonable.'

It is claimed that Arsenal have 'opened the door' for Marseille, but the problem now is that the French giants have already moved on to other targets.

Negotiations are not dead, but after recently being rebuffed again by Arsenal, Marseille have moved to initiate talks with Youssoufa Moukoko of Borussia Dortmund and in the past 24 hours - in what would be a separate deal - with RC Lens over Elye Wahi.

The ball is in Marseille's court, but there is no guarantee that they will make a fresh bid for Nketiah, potentially frustrating Arsenal's attempts at offloading him before signing an upgrade.

Marseille are seemingly serious about their interest in Wahi, with Footmercato reporting that they have already launched two offers, though both were rejected. Lens are trying to make a profit on the 21-year-old after paying a whopping €30m last summer.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that OM are still deliberating whether to make another push for Wahi or whether to reactivate their pursuit of Nketiah.