Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah poised to replace Jordan Ayew at Crystal Palace

• Posted on August 28, 2024August 28, 2024
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah is on the brink of finalizing a move to Crystal Palace, with the South London club nearing an agreement to sign the 25-year-old striker.

The deal, valued at £25 million plus £5 million in potential add-ons, is expected to be accepted by Arsenal.

According to The Athletic, there are no anticipated issues regarding personal terms as Nketiah prepares to join Palace for the ongoing 2024/25 season. Reports on Sunday revealed that Palace had been eyeing a move for the striker, having already engaged in discussions with Arsenal earlier in the summer.

Nketiah, who has been linked with a departure from the Emirates throughout the summer, was previously expected to join Marseille. However, the French club failed to meet Arsenal’s valuation, leading to the collapse of negotiations. A subsequent attempt to join Nottingham Forest also fell through, despite both clubs agreeing on a fee of up to £30 million.

The striker has struggled to secure a spot in Arsenal’s first team in recent seasons and has yet to make a competitive appearance this term, despite participating in pre-season training. Although Nketiah signed a new contract with Arsenal in June 2022, extending his stay until 2027, it appears his playing time will remain limited, even with Gabriel Jesus sidelined due to injury.

At Selhurst Park, Palace currently have only two senior strikers following Jordan Ayew’s move to Leicester City during the transfer window. Palace manager Oliver Glasner has expressed a desire to bolster his attacking options alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta and Odsonne Edouard before the transfer window closes on Friday.

While Mateta enjoyed a strong 2023/24 season with 19 goals in 39 appearances, reports from The Mail suggest that Palace might fund Nketiah’s purchase by selling Edouard, with his former club Celtic reportedly interested in a reunion.

As the transfer deadline approaches, Palace are also said to be stepping up their pursuit of Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix and maintaining interest in Wolves’ Rayan Ait Nouri, as Glasner looks to strengthen his squad following a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign.