Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah valuation raises issue of balance

Arsenal have set a high asking price for Eddie Nketiah this summer transfer window as they look to raise as much finance and humanly possible to embark on an unprecedented squad overhaul.

It’s telling of the club’s needs this summer that the vast majority of transfer speculation surrounding north London is that of sales. Heavily documented is that raising money through outgoings is the priority before facilitating signings, so as to get an understanding of how much money they have to work with.

Only a few names have been concretely linked with a move to Arsenal so far, including Emi Buendia/Martin Odegaard, Yves Bissouma, Edmond Tapsoba/Jules Kounde and some minor talk of a right-back, all of which will be heightened once the first departures are sanctioned.

Almost certain to leave in the coming weeks is Eddie Nketiah, someone who’s sale will be used to push for some of the above targets.

Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah valuation raises issue of balance as Watford eye £15m deal

Who much is he worth, though?

Starting the season in and around the first team, whether in the Premier League or Europa League group stages, the second half of the campaign has been mostly a waste for the striker. He was kept on January only to barely feature from thereon in, opening the door to a move.

Being 21 years of age, homegrown, top-flight tested and a record breaker on the international stage will help boost his value, although six months of fleeting usage, a longer period of ineffective league outings and 12 months left on his deal have worked in the other direction.

As per the Mirror, Arsenal will look to accrue around £15m for his services which if balanced out in regards to the current market and clubs’ suffering finances, would be an excellent deal. Watford are snooping around and there is also mention of Brighton being interested which could open the door for a welcome player plus cash bid for Bissouma.

Putting everything into account, £15m is fair price. Arsenal aren’t in a position to be haggling for more but they also shouldn’t be willingly accepting less.

What this valuation does make you wonder is whether or not their overall estimations for players is unbalanced. Based on another Hale End graduate, there are some question marks.

Continued…

Joe Willock is Worth More Than £20m

You can’t sell Nketiah for £15m and then openly accept £20m for Joe Willock. There is no sense in this pair of valuations having just a £5m disparity.

Moving Willock on this window would be the right call if it’s at the right price. £20m isn’t that.

After a magnificent loan spell with Newcastle there has been some mention of Arsenal upping their asking price for the midfielder but still many suggest a £20m bid would tempt their hand. If Nketiah with one year left on his deal and with six months of uninspiring football behind him can garner such a fee then his teammate should be commanding double.

Selling may prove to be the toughest aspect of this entire window for Arsenal who know other clubs can prey on their weak selling position and need for finance more so than ever before. Seeing Marseille want to pay £7m for Matteo Guendouzi is evidence of that.

Whether there are Premier League clubs who can afford to fork out £25m-£30m for Willock is another matter. Very few will be able to come close to that. He is, however, worth more than his current valuation when factoring Nketiah’s position.

There is strong interest from Newcastle, one of the poorer sides in the top-flight. Their budget is minimal at best and if they can even scramble together £20m it’d be a surprise. It may be that Arsenal don’t receive anything over that amount, which prompts a serious decision.

Yet if they can sell Nketiah for what is noted then there is no doubting of accepting a deal. There just needs to be a balance in what they are asking for their players.