Arsenal Transfers: Gunners ready to sell striker in January transfer window

Arsenal are reportedly prepared to let go of Eddie Nketiah in the upcoming transfer window to make way for a new striker.

Nketiah joined the Hale End academy in 2015 from London rivals Chelsea. He also had a brief loan spell with Leeds United but was recalled halfway through the 2019/20 season. Since being offered a long-term contract by Arsenal, the club's current #14 has come a long way.

Gunners ready to sell striker in January transfer window

Throughout the years, Nketiah has continued to work hard and fight for his place in the starting 11. Since his return from Leeds, the 24-year-old striker has scored 34 goals in 134 appearances for the Gunners - the vast majority of which have been substitute appearances.

However, he has been unable to break into the starting 11 as the first-choice striker despite increased opportunities. And now, according to footballtransfers, Mikel Arteta and the club have made a decision to sell the player in the January transfer window and bring in a new striker.

Dusan Vlahovic is said to be the Gunners’ main target with Benjamin Sesko and Ivan Toney also being on the list. It seems that Arteta wants a more physically dominant and prolific profile up top. The likes of Vlahovic, Sesko and Toney all suit the criteria set by Arteta.

Why Arsenal should sell Nketiah in January

Nketiah has been an important player for the Gunners and has proved his abilities on multiple occasions. However, the issue lies in his consistency; in one game he could be the most prolific striker, but in the next game he offers nothing but profligacy.

For example, against Sheffield United, the English international scored a hat-trick and impressed with his performance. However, in the following game against Newcastle, we saw a completely contrasted version of him as he ended the game with a 0% shot accuracy and only one attempt at goal.

Footballtransfers also revealed that the North London side are at the borderline of Financial Fair Play (FFP). Therefore, profiting off an academy graduate would make sense for the Gunners as it allows them to invest in a replacement.

Following Leandro Trossard's fine run of form, he has replaced Nketiah as Arteta’s second-choice striker. However, this does not mean that the Englishman is not a quality striker. It simply seems as though his time at Arsenal has come to a natural end. It would be beneficial for his career to be at a club where he would receive more playtime.

Nketiah is contracted to the club until 2025. Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier in June that clubs are tracking the striker, and Nketiah will doubtlessly receive Premier League interest. Now that Arsenal are reportedly willing to sell the player, it could reignite interest from the previously interested parties.