Marseille unwilling to accept Arsenal deal compromise | OneFootball

Marseille still don’t want to pay the asking price for Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah, despite the Gunners suggesting a compromise this week.

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)

David Ornstein reported earlier this week that Arsenal were ready to sanction Eddie Nketiah’s departure to Marseille, and they’d proposed a deal for a season-long loan with an obligation to buy in the region of €30m.

Ornstein added that the ball is now in Marseille’s court, but it now appears Marseille are hesitant to accept the deal offer.

Fabrizio Romano reports for the Here We Go podcast that though Nketiah could still leave and Marseille are interested, they don’t want to pay €30m.

Romano concludes that the price still has to be reduced in order for Marseille to sign Nketiah.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal FC moves the ball against AFC Bournemouth 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)

€30m (£25.7m) already represented a compromise from Arsenal, with previous reports suggesting the Gunners were holding out for £30m for the striker.

According to Ornstein, Marseille’s July offer for Nketiah was worth close to €20m (£17.1m). So Arsenal have reduced their valuation by £4-5m, but it’s still a way above that offer.

Nketiah has reportedly already agreed a five-year contract with Marseille, and he’s keen to join Roberto De Zerbi’s team.

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)

Nketiah made 37 appearances for Arsenal last season, though just 13 of those were starts. The striker has featured for the Gunners regularly in pre-season, with just under a week to go until the start of the new Premier League campaign.