Arsenal’s Nketiah on the brink of £30m Palace move after Forest collapse | OneFootball

Finding a new club for Eddie Nketiah has proven difficult this summer, but Crystal Palace are offering him a late escape route from Arsenal before the transfer window closes.

According to an exclusive for News Shopper, Palace were weighing up a loan deal with an option to buy for the 25-year-old forward, whose move to Nottingham Forest recently collapsed after personal terms couldn’t be agreed, but The Athletic are now reporting a permanent deal is close to being agreed.

Arsenal’s British forward #14 Eddie Nketiah aknowledges the supporters at the end of 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)

Palace are expected to have a busy end to the window, with up to four new additions targeted, including a centre-back, left-wing-back, and attacking midfielder.

According to reporter Bobby Manzi, Dougie Freedman, Palace’s Sporting Director, “is a long been an admirer of Nketiah”, keen to sign him in this window.

On Monday afternoon, David Ornstein reported that a deal between Arsenal and Palace is close to being agreed for £25m + £5m in add-ons and he doesn’t expect there to be an issue with personal terms as there was with Forest.

Nketiah’s transfer saga this summer has been frustrating for both player and club.

After initial talks with Marseille fell through over valuation issues, a £30m agreement was struck with Nottingham Forest.

However, despite Arsenal’s willingness to part ways, Forest couldn’t finalise personal terms with Nketiah.

Meanwhile, Marseille moved on and signed Elye Wahi from Lens.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Fabio Vieira of Arsenal celebrates with Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal after scoring the team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Nketiah has struggled to secure consistent first-team football at Arsenal, despite being a prolific scorer at youth level and during loan spells.

With Gabriel Jesus sidelined due to a groin injury, there was some expectation Nketiah might see more minutes, but Mikel Arteta opted not to call upon him in their recent win against Aston Villa.

A move to Palace could offer Nketiah the fresh start he needs, but with the transfer deadline looming, time is running out for a deal to be completed.

Whether the move materialises will likely depend on Palace’s ability to address their priority areas while securing an agreement that satisfies all parties involved.

For now, Nketiah’s future remains uncertain, and Arsenal’s attempt to offload the striker before the deadline continues to hang in the balance.