Arsenal: 3 transfer options for Eddie Nketiah with West Ham interested

Should Arsenal Sell, Keep or Loan Eddie Nketiah?

Given his profile, a sale would suit as Arsenal could accrue a decent enough fee to help kick-start the summer rebuild, although his value continues to diminish with further senior snubs and his contract ticking down.

With Lacazette’s departure inevitable, should Nketiah be sold then Arsenal would need up to two more strikers if Folarin Balogun leaves when his own deal concludes in June. With numerous areas of the squad to strengthen, it would require a significant outlay that would eat into funds the Gunners aren’t blessed with. There is the likelihood that Arteta sees Gabriel Martinelli‘s future at centre-forward, however, which would lessen the financial burden come the summer.

A lot of what will happen in the summer hinges on Balogun. Arteta has stressed he will have chance to play if he stays, and with Lacazette and Nketiah gone, his path to the first team couldn’t be clearer.

Keeping him – on a new deal – looks dead in the water. Not unless there are major recruitment issues with no targets (heaven forbid) brought in, does it seem plausible.

To reduce the amount of expenditure come the summer and to also protect Nketiah’s value, tying in him down to a longer deal and moving him out on loan offers another potential avenue. If he were to leave to another Premier League side, for example, and hit 15 or so goals, more potential bidders and with a more manageable contract situation would raise his asking price up. Equally, if he proves his worth he still has another chance to strive for a starting spot in north London.

All of which does come with risk attached. If the above goes ahead and he signs a two/three-year extension, goes out on loan and struggles for goals and form, Arsenal will be left with a striker few clubs will want to take a punt on. Whatever fee they will have previously wanted will have dropped, and they’ll have missed the chance to cash in come the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

Having fallen out of favour under Arteta, just like Reiss Nelson, the signs point towards a straight sale in the summer, as backed up by reports. A buy-back clause would be preferred, but Arsenal are in no position to be playing hardball given their current predicament. Clubs will turn their noses up.

Regardless, his value will continue to plummet if he’s continuously left out of matchday squads, just like his close friend. The striker situation at Arsenal is an intriguing one, that’s for sure.