Arsenal set to make €25m transfer U-turn

Cameron Smith

Updated: 9 Aug 2024 07:13 BST
3 min read

Arsenal have relaxed their stance regarding Eddie Nketiah and are now willing to sell the Englishman for around €25 million, according to reports in France.

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Nketiah, 25, has been heavily linked with a summer exit, following a reduced role last campaign, and a move to Marseille is considered his most likely next step.

However, the deal recently stalled due to Arsenal’s €35m asking price. Marseille quickly turned their attention to Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko and Nketiah was left in the cold.

Despite this, RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins has now revealed that Arsenal have re-opened the door for an Nketiah departure by lowering their asking price to €25m.

This has caught the attention of Marseille, who are now pursuing a move for the 25-year-old yet again.

Nketiah scored six goals in 37 appearances for Arsenal last season, but he only started 13 games in all competitions, with Mikel Arteta favouring both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus through the middle.

French striker Elye Wahi is also a target for Marseille, although their latest offer of a loan move with an option to buy for €20m was turned down by RC Lens.

In addition, talk of a move for Moukoko has quietened down in recent days.

© IMAGO - Marseille want to sign Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah

Reports from Germany state that Moukoko will only be allowed to leave Dortmund if they are able to finalise a deal to sign Hoffeinheim’s Maximilian Beier as his replacement, and Marseille have seemingly moved onto other targets.

Beier, who has been linked with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool in recent months, scored 17 Bundesliga goals last season and was included in Germany’s squad for the 2024 European Championship.

Arsenal’s summer transfer business

So far this summer, Arsenal have completed the signings of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya and Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori for a combined €76.9m.

Tommy Setford has joined the club’s academy from Ajax, and Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino is also in advanced talks to join the Gunners.

In regards to departures, Arsenal have sold Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham, while Mohamed Elneny, Arthur Okonkwo and Cedric Soares have left on free transfer. Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares have joined Sevilla and Lazio on loan respectively.