Patrick Vieira could bring impending free agent Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace, though a report has revealed Arsenal could yet perform a late U-turn.
Arsenal’s options in the final third could look unrecognisable at the start of next season. Mikel Arteta entered the current campaign with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah comprising his main firepower.
However, Aubameyang has already left and both Nketiah and Lacazette will become free agents on June 30.
Lacazette continues to draw links with a return to former club Lyon. In Nketiah’s case, there hadn’t been a great deal of speculation as to where he might end up doing the rounds of late.
However, the Daily Mail have now broken the silence on the 22-year-old’s future when detailing two clubs’ interest.
Firstly, Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach are reportedly considering a free agent swoop. Given they are an overseas club, they are actually free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Nketiah right now.
But if remaining in England – and London – appeals, the Mail note Crystal Palace could offer a solution.
Patrick Vieira’s Eagles were linked with a cut-price swoop for Nketiah in January.
A deal ultimately failed to materialise with Vieira deemed content with the progress 18-month loanee Jean-Philippe Mateta was making up front. Palace then made the deal for Mateta permanent on January 31.
Nketiah staying or going?
However, with the summer window fast approaching, the Mail claim Palace ‘remain contenders’ to sign Nketiah at the second time of asking.
Nketiah recently spoke out about his lack of game-time at Arsenal. Successive league starts quickly followed with Lacazette unavailable and Nketiah bagged a brace in the crucial 4-2 victory over Chelsea.
Perhaps with that in mind, the report adds Arsenal could yet spring a surprise and tie Nketiah down to fresh terms despite it looking odds on he would leave.
The Gunners have reportedly ‘not given up hope’ that scenario could play out. However, they have reportedly conceded that Nketiah’s desire to play regularly may have already made his mind up.
Regardless of whether Nketiah stays, Arsenal are expected to splash the cash up front this summer.
The Telegraph recently claimed signing two new strikers is Arsenal’s top priority next window. First up could be Gabriel Jesus who it’s being claimed has reached an agreement on personal terms with the Gunners.
