After completing six signings this summer, Andrea Berta’s focus at Arsenal has shifted to moving players on.
The Gunners have notoriously sold poorly over the last ten years, struggling to garner sufficient fees for players who they look to move on.
Last summer, Edu did manage to sell the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe for reasonable sums.
However, with the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira the players on the chopping block this time around, the North Londoners are unlikely to raise significant funds through departures.
Alex Iwobi says his Fulham teammates are trying to convince Reiss Nelson to sign
Arsenal Insider revealed earlier this month that Fulham are working on a deal to sign Reiss Nelson.
The Cottagers had Nelson on loan last season, although the winger was only able to make 12 appearances in West London due to persistent injury issues.
Despite this, Marco Silva is keen on bringing the Hale End graduate back to Craven Cottage.
The Gunners are understood to be pushing for either a permanent departure or a loan with an obligation to buy, while Fulham understandably want a temporary deal with an option.
This disagreement is likely what has prompted reports on the potential move to quieten somewhat in the last two weeks.
However, it’s still very much on the cards, and former Arsenal midfielder and now Fulham star Alex Iwobi has hinted at this.
Speaking to Standard Sport, Iwobi revealed that there is a group chat in which Fulham players are trying to convince Nelson to make the switch.
“It would be nice for him to come back to Fulham, because we know the sort of player he is,” Iwobi said.
“I can try to be an agent – but I am not!
“There is a specific group chat – I am not going to name names – but a lot of people are pressuring him, trying to find out what is going on! Me, I am not one of them!”
Smith Rowe has a close relationship with Nelson and will no doubt be one of those trying to persuade the 25-year-old.
Berta will hope that this pressure from the Fulham squad will be enough to convince Nelson, who may not be averse to remaining at Arsenal and fighting for his place.
How much should Arsenal expect to get for Reiss Nelson?
Nelson has been described as ‘excellent’ in the past, and he is undisputedly a talented player who can offer a lot more than he’s shown already in his career.
“It’s the same with Reiss [injuries holding him back],” Iwobi said.
“His style of play is very explosive. He is very sharp. I just hope that he returns fit and healthy as soon as possible.”
The wide forward put up some encouraging numbers in his loan spell at Fulham last season, and this is likely why Silva is prepared to take a risk on the injury-prone star.
| Reiss Nelson’s Premier League Statistics 2024/25 | |
| Appearances | 11 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Shots per 90 | 2.22 |
| Expected Goals per 90 | 0.2 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 2.41 |
| Expected Assists per 90 | 0.19 |
| Progressive Carries per 90 | 8.33 |
| Successful Take-ons per 90 | 2.41 |
That said, Arsenal shouldn’t expect to garner a substantial fee for a player with Nelson’s injury track record and lack of career minutes played.
The former Feyenoord loanee has played such little football since breaking through into the Arsenal first team, and thus, it’s difficult to gauge what his real level is.
For potential suitors, investing in a player who may simply not be good enough is a huge risk, and thus, the Gunners would do well to insert a buy option into the deal worth more than £15 million.
from Arsenal Transfer News | Rumours, Deals & Targets | Arsenal Insider
Alfie Cairns Culshaw