Arsenal will ask £30 million for Eddie Nketiah this month.
The 24-year-old is a target for Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace, who want to strengthen their attacking options. The Gunners, meanwhile, are ready to bring in another striker and are flirting with Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Bournemouth ace Dominic Solanke.
If they manage to strike a deal with either striker, Nketiah could leave north London as Mikel Arteta balances the books. However, the former England international is highly regarded at the Emirates and will not be sold at a low price.
Arsenal’s bigwigs also believe that the London-born striker is still capable of progressing and would therefore impose a sell-on clause on any transfer.
His contract runs until 2027, since he signed new terms 18 months ago. Arteta has loaned Nketiah out regularly over the last 18 months.
The former Leeds United loanee has often led the Gunners’ front line in the last 18 months when Gabriel Jesus has struggled with form or been injured. In 157 appearances for Arsenal, Nketiah has scored 38 goals and nine assists.
This season, he has contributed five goals and three assists in 19 appearances for the north London side. But Toney or Solanke would be an upgrade on Nketiah.
In an interview with FourFourTwo in October, Nketiah said he wants to stay and fight for his place at Arsenal. “It was just my love for the club. London is my home, the club is my home, but I’ve been an Arsenal fan all my life and that played a big part,” he said.
“The conversations with the manager and the plans he had for me and the fact that he needed me … I knew I wanted to learn, develop and help this club.”