ARSENAL have named their asking price for striker Eddie Nketiah, according to reports.
Despite signing a new contract in the summer of 2022, the forward has failed to become a permanent fixture in the Gunners’ starting XI.
Nketiah has fallen behind Brazilians Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in the Emirates pecking order.
Crystal Palace were keen on signing the striker before he put pen to paper on a new deal but still hold an interest in signing him.
But they’ll have to stump up at least £30million to acquire his services, according to The Daily Star.
SunSports understood the Gunners are willing to part company with Nketiah as they’re hot on the heels of Brentford ace Ivan Toney.
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The Star claims Arsenal are also interested in signing Bournemouth ace Dominic Solanke and will sanction the sale of Nketiah if either player is brought in.
Arteta, however, has seemingly poured cold water on the prospect of winter reinforcement, telling Sky Sports: “That’s a possibility.”
He added: “Unfortunately, Jurrien [Timber] has a very long-term injury.
“He’s doing really well but is still far from training with the team.
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“It’s what we have, with Tomi [Takehiro Tomiyasu] having to leave.
“We’re open for the transfer market, but the emphasis is of making the most of the players we have.
“We’ll work with the club to understand if there are any possibilities, and whether we have any good options.
“But first of all, we will focus on the players we already have.”
Despite his lack of first-team football, Nketiah is determined to stay and fight for a place in Arteta’s starting XI.
He told FourFourTwo last October: “It was just my love for the club.
“London’s home, the club is home, but I’ve been an Arsenal fan all my life and that played a big part.
“Talking to the manager and the plans he had for me, and the fact he needed me… I knew I wanted to learn, develop and help this club.”
Nketiah could lead the line for the Gunners this afternoon in their FA Cup third-round clash with Liverpool after it emerged Jesus is a major injury doubt.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
