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

West Ham have drawn up a three-man list of strikers to pursue in the upcoming summer transfer window, with Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah among those catching David Moyes’ eye.

So, what to do with Eddie Nketiah?

Bursting onto the scene with a match-winning brace in October 2017, the academy forward became the first player to score for Arsenal who was born after Arsene Wenger became the club’s manager some 21 years before.

In total he’s managed 12 goals in 60 appearances for the senior side since joining the club following his release from Chelsea in 2015, netting his first Premier League goal on the final day of the 2018/19 season away at Burnley.

West Ham keeping track of Eddie Nketiah ahead of summer transfer window as Arsenal exit looms for academy striker

While he’s broken England Under-21 scoring records and notched three goals in six Europa League outings this season, he hasn’t been able to kick on as hoped. Only starting ten Premier League matches since the beginning of last season hasn’t aided his case, but with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang firmly ahead of him in the pecking order, his development has stagnated.

Not selected for the past five league matchday squads, and with only one year left to run on his deal come the end of the season, a permanent sale or a loan move with a new long-term contract are the two options facing Mikel Arteta.

The interest is there in a homegrown talent at just 21 years old, with formerly interested West Ham not dropping their tracking of Nketiah. As per the Daily Star, he is on a three-man shortlist to provide cover for Michail Antonio alongside Tammy Abraham and Ivan Toney. The former is the frontrunner.

Arsenal made their stance on Nketiah clear in January, insisting he wouldn’t be leaving, a decision that stemmed from fears of a potential injury to one of either Aubameyang or Lacazette. Moyes nonetheless sees potential in the forward, and an approach to suss out the updated stance in north London is expected.

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.