Arsenal: Reiss Nelson transfer development sparks interest

Reiss Nelson featuring in an Arsenal shirt was one of the more enjoyable aspects of the pre-season clash with Hibernian, regardless of the defeat. It also signals one of the few remaining occasions supporters will get to see him in red and white.

What comes next for the winger remains to be seen. An exit of some form is the foregone conclusion with the Hale Ender not in Mikel Arteta’s long-term planning, with the formatting of that deal, and where he is going, the intriguing part.

Arsenal offered the 21-year-old a brand new contract this summer as they did with Eddie Nketiah in order to protect his value, although the indications are that Nelson, like the striker, is understandably due to reject those terms.

The Gunners’ planning would be to tie them down longer and sanction a season-long loan, by which time European finances could improve along with the duo’s value ideally increasingly. In Nelson’s case having two years left to run on his contract gave Arsenal some leeway, although the latest from James Benge has altered that.

Arsenal: Reiss Nelson transfer development sparks interest from Premier League with contract expiring in 12 months

Under the belief from almost every source, including Benge himself back in early July, Nelson does not have two years to run on his deal and is in fact already into the final 12 months.

It’s added that three Premier League sides are all vying for his signature this month, along with several teams in the Bundesliga and Greek giants Olympiacos.

Crystal Palace, Brentford and Brighton are the leading English candidates but are part of a ‘growing’ contingent, which if only having a year left on his contract is excellent news for Arsenal in their hopes of driving the biggest fee possible.

Wanting between £15-£20m, Arsenal understand the contractual pressure they’re under could force them the settle for lower. It would be a miracle if any side signed either Nketiah or Nelson for £20m. That is not going to happen.

Given the news that Nelson’s contract expires in 2022, it’s really time that push came to shove, especially after snubbing a January move. As for Nelson, he has some attractive clubs vying for his signature. All of the three mentioned would be fine opportunities for him, two wouldn’t even require significant relocation and have exciting managers at the helm.

If Arsenal can somehow squeeze £15m out of one of those three it would be excellent, albeit it also unlikely. With the USA tour coming up, if the chance arises for Nelson to stay home and secure his future, Arsenal should take it.