Eddie Nketiah signs for Crystal Palace | OneFootball

In the final hours of the transfer window, Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has completed his move to Crystal Palace for a fee of £25 million, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons.

The 25-year-old’s transfer brings an end to his long association with Arsenal, where he made 168 appearances and scored 38 goals.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The transfer was finalised after Arsenal granted Nketiah permission on Wednesday to undergo a medical at Crystal Palace. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Palace swiftly moved to finalise agreements with both Arsenal and Nketiah, making him their fourth signing of the summer however the announcement took days to come for reasons that are not quite clear at the time of writing.

Speaking to the Palace website, Nketiah said, “It’s amazing to sign for Crystal Palace – I’m excited to get going. Every time I come back to South London, it always puts a smile on my face, so it’s good to be back home.”

Despite being a highly regarded forward with a keen eye for goal, Nketiah struggled to secure a consistent starting role under Mikel Arteta.

Over the years, increased competition within the squad, particularly with the arrival of Gabriel Jesus, limited Nketiah’s opportunities to feature regularly in the starting lineup. His frustration with a lack of game time led to speculation about his future throughout the summer.

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’s record at Arsenal stands at 38 goals and seven assists in 7,000 minutes of play, reflecting an impressive average of 0.58 goals and assists per 90 minutes. These statistics highlight his effectiveness when given the chance, but with other attacking options ahead of him in the pecking order, Nketiah often found himself on the bench rather than on the pitch.

Earlier in the transfer window, Nketiah was linked with moves to Marseille and Nottingham Forest. Talks with Marseille broke down due to valuation differences, while a £30 million agreement with Nottingham Forest fell through after the player was unable to agree on personal terms. As the transfer window neared its close, Crystal Palace emerged as the frontrunners, offering a deal that met the needs of both the player and Arsenal.

For Nketiah, the move to Crystal Palace offers a fresh start and a greater chance for regular first-team football. The south London club has had an active transfer window, and the addition of Nketiah strengthens their attacking options as they aim to build on their Premier League stability.

Under the management of Oliver Glasner, Nketiah could play a pivotal role in Palace’s plans for the season, potentially establishing himself as a key figure in their attack.

The move marks a crucial step in Nketiah’s career as he seeks to prove himself as a first-choice striker in the Premier League. His transfer to Crystal Palace also signifies the departure of another Hale End graduate from Arsenal, as the club continues to evolve under Arteta’s guidance.

Arsenal fans will watch with interest to see if Nketiah can unlock his full potential in his new surroundings.