Marseille step up bid for Arsenal 25yo but fear PL rival offers | OneFootball

Marseille are stepping up their efforts to sign Eddie Nketiah and feel they aren’t far from a deal, but they’re wary of rival suitors for the striker.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal FC reacts against AFC Bournemouth during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

L’Equipe report that Marseille are accelerating their efforts to sign Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah, having most recently offered a loan with a mandatory purchase clause set at about €20m (£17m).

Arsenal reportedly haven’t responded to the offer, but Marseille feel they aren’t far from the Gunners’ asking price.

Yet Marseille are also aware that their interest is being noticed by potential rival suitors in the Premier League, who could still make bids of their own.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Nketiah heads the ball during the first half during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth reports that Arsenal effectively laughed off Marseille’s initial bid a few weeks ago.

Whilst the latest bid also falls short of Arsenal’s valuation the suggestion is that it’s at least enough to keep the conversation going, implying a deal is possible.

But the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel writes that Arsenal want £30m for Nketiah, which still leaves a significant gap in valuations and means Marseille’s £17m bid is definitely too low.

Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah controls the ball during the pre-season club friendly football match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 31, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Recent reports from France had suggested a compromise could be possible at around €25m (£21.2m), if Marseille were also willing to include a sell-on clause.

David Ornstein reports that Nketiah has already agreed a five-year contract with Marseille, and he’s keen to join Roberto De Zerbi’s team if the two clubs can agree on a fee.

Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also claimed on Twitter that he’s already told Nketiah to join Marseille.

Nketiah made 37 appearances for Arsenal last season, but just 13 of those were starts. The striker has featured in all of the Gunners’ pre-season friendlies so far.