Arsenal have enjoyed a strong summer transfer window, with six top players arriving at the Emirates. New sporting director Andrea Berta deserves credit for his early work, but the real challenge lies ahead as the deadline approaches.
Berta must now prove he is as capable at selling as he is at buying. One player whose future is uncertain is Reiss Nelson.
Nelson’s Future In The Balance
Despite showing promise during pre-season, Nelson faces a difficult path to regular football at Arsenal given the fierce competition for places. He may relish fighting for a starting spot on the left wing, but with the club keen to raise funds and the Hale End graduate viewed as a sellable asset, a departure looks increasingly likely.
Fulham are circling, and Nelson is being encouraged by his former teammates to make the switch. In an interview with the Evening Standard, Alex Iwobi spoke openly about his former Arsenal teammate’s potential return to Craven Cottage. He said: “It would be nice for him to come back to Fulham, because we know the sort of player he is.”
Iwobi also revealed how the Fulham squad are trying to play their part in persuading him. “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!”
Fulham Interest Could Aid Arsenal’s Transfer Push
Nelson spent last season on loan at Fulham, where injuries limited his impact, but his quality clearly made a lasting impression. His ex-teammates are eager for him to return, and Berta will hope the club itself follow through with a formal bid.
For Arsenal, Nelson’s sale could be crucial. Funds are needed to help finance a move for Eberechi Eze, with Tottenham pressing hard to sign the Crystal Palace playmaker. Allowing Spurs to steal a march in that pursuit would be a blow, so the Gunners will be eager for Fulham’s interest in Nelson to translate into an offer.
What do you think Gooners, should Arsenal cash in on Reiss Nelson to boost their chances of landing Eze?
Daniel O
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Yes, we need to get what we can for Reiss as regardless of his value or lack thereof to others, it appears clear that he is not in MA’s plans. Nothing to do with getting Eze or not.
Yes, Arsenal has several players they apparently want to offload, and it seems he’s one so the sooner, the better.
While it now doesn’t look like Arsenal may be going after Eze after all (or reasons/excuses are being prepared just in case, judging by another article here), I would expect Berta to pull off a few deals – probably not for all the players – by the end of the window.
Good business practice dictates that Arsenal should not run a transfer deficit of about £185m currently over this summer. They need (some) money coming in, not just going out.
Not sure what reasons/excuses you’re referring to here but I personally don’t believe ownership, MA, or Berta need any reasons/excuses for not acquiring Eze. It’s simply their decision and it has to be accepted whether agreed with or not. Hindsight usually allows for a different perspective but ultimately, they will suffer the consequences or reap the rewards from their actions. I only want the ability to critique their decisions for better or worse and hopefully as a gooner enjoy what the club provides.
Well, the article in question on JA suggests that Arsenal may never have really been interested in Eze – contradicting the numerous articles over many weeks here that suggested the exact opposite and in very strong terms. Of course, it’s probably pure coincidence that Sp*rs look, by some latest reports anyway, to be the front runner now.
Nobody knows outside of the club what Arsenal’s intentions were/are about Eze, but I hope we’re not going to resort to “Oh, we didn’t really want him anyway” as an excuse if Arsenal really were interested, but another club does get in first. Far better to say we just missed out – after all it wouldn’t be the first time, and it won’t be the last.
Even better yet, just admit that we don’t know for certain whether we were in for him or not and leave it as an opinion one way or the other based on whatever actual facts we are aware of.
It’s unrealistic to assume anyone will buy or even accept an obligation to buy for Reiss. He spent more than half the season injured at Fulham – do you think they’ll actually shell out a fee for him? I wouldn’t. You wouldn’t. So you have to hope a loan with an option is on the table.