Arsenal 25yo on verge of ‘buy now pay later’ Marseille deal | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah is on the verge of joining Olympique de Marseille (OM) in a loan deal with a mandatory purchase option, according to L’Équipe.

The French club, aiming to revamp 80% of its starting lineup, has significantly accelerated negotiations for the 25-year-old English international.

L’Equipe 23 July, 2024 – It’s moving forward for Nketiah

The Marseille club, which is about to change 80% of its starting 11 this summer window, continues to activate on all fronts and is making good progress on the Arsenal striker’s file.

Nketiah, who made 27 Premier League appearances and scored five goals last season, has reportedly agreed to personal terms with OM. The club, led by president Pablo Longoria, is seeking to defer payment for the transfer by a year through the loan structure.

Nketiah is said to be enticed by the challenge at Marseille, who recently sold former Arsenal captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Al-Qadsiah.

Arsenal’s British forward #14 Eddie Nketiah controls the ball during a UEFA Champions League group B football match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

OM’s pursuit of Nketiah is part of a larger recruitment drive. The club has already secured the services of Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg and is in discussions with Crystal Palace for winger Ismaïla Sarr. They are also actively seeking a replacement for goalkeeper Pau Lopez, who is set to join Serie A side Como who recently confirmed Cesc Fabregas as their permanent manager.

While Arsenal has obviously not officially commented on the reports, the move seems imminent. Nketiah’s departure would mark another significant change in Arsenal’s attacking lineup this summer and the biggest indication yet that another attacker will arrive this summer.