Reiss Nelson has made it clear over the last year that he was desperate for Arsenal to give him a new contract so he could stay at his boyhood club for as long as possible. In fact he only stated in December when asked about if he wanted to stay and he replied: “Of course,”
“I’ve been here since I was eight and Arsenal is all I know. I’m only a couple of minutes from the stadium, all my family is there. So of course I’d love to stay.”
But strangely, now that the Gunners have offered him a new contract, he has rejected it, according to Fabrizio Romano, but it seems Arsenal and Reiss Nelson are still in talks over terms to persuade him to stay.
Reiss Nelson has rejected the first new contract proposal made by Arsenal — but negotiations remain ongoing as final decision will be made at the end of the season. 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Nelson has been approached by many clubs in England and also from abroad over potential free transfer. pic.twitter.com/nqpmSqXh0o
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 4, 2023
Nelson’s current contract expires in June, and there are reports that Brighton & Hove Albion are interested in the 23-year-old, and other Premier League and foreign clubs have also reportedly expressed interest, which would appear to be the reason that he has reportedly turned down the club’s initial offer to extend his stay.
Despite only making eight league appearances this season, Nelson has scored three goals and is popular with Arsenal fans. However, with Gabriel Martinelli ahead of him in the pecking order, Nelson may struggle to become a regular starter under Mikel Arteta.
It’s possible that he’s looking to leave in search of more playing time, and his performances suggest he could be a valuable addition to many other clubs.
Despite his assurances that he has only ever wanted to stay at Arsenal for his whole career, does it look his head may have turned by the offer of a more lucrative deal elsewhere? Plus the likelihood of much more playing time than he is getting at the moment?
Perhaps Arteta should have made him an offer before Christmas ehen he was clear that he didn’t want to leave?
Darren N
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Right now we woud be wise to make NO assumptions about how Nelson will decide.
Wiser fans allow that there are such things as “negotiations” and both sides will make an opening offer which will be rejected, to begin what will be a protracted negotiating affair, IMO!
FAR TOO HASTY AND UNWISE TO CONSIDER THE FIRST STAGE ONLY, AS THE EVENTUAL OUTCOME.
It plainly is NOT certain, either way, as yet.
No am not shocked, but he’s going to find game time increasingly difficult in the next campaign should he remain at Arsenal.
It is reported Arsenal could make a bold bid for atleast three first team players that could influence the starting lineup.
One could argue a top class winger such as Diaby could well be on the cards.
If reports is true the contact from Brighton with his representative, could well have influence Resis Nelson decision.
He needs more playing time at his age, but he’s got too many competitors at Arsenal. If he leaves, hopefully Sagoe Jr can replace him
You don’t mention cozier duberry anymore? Lol
Cozier-Duberry usually plays on the right wing
I feel Arteta opting to stick with an out-of-form Saka in the last 4 games will not have given him assurances that he stood a fair chance if he stayed. Also, if his reps believe he is worth more than Arsenal are offering, all good for him. Another Willock situation possibly! But that’s the game, sometimes it works out and sometimes it does not.
Couldn’t agree more!!
Except that Willock didn’t for free. We received good money for him, like 25 mil or something close. If Nelson leaves, he would on a free transfer.
Not good enough anyway
I’m not too surprised, because it’s clear he’s only thought of as an extra body to bulk out the squad. Everybody takes it for granted we’ll be buying at least one to play ahead of him in the summer. He loves the club, but he wants more from his career than 3rd choice. Good luck to him.
Not good enough for us
As we have no idea what the offer is, it’s difficult to know why he’s turned it down.
I suspect his head has been turned by the media.
My question is, would city, united, newcastle or any of the big european clubs be interested and are we not looking to upgrade for next season?
I’m not dissing the player, but, if he values his services as higher than the club does it’s time to move on.
He’s looked up for it and made some kind of positive impact every time he’s played. He’s shown he has the mentality for the big occasion.
Maybe he hasn’t played enough to show if he’s good enough for those clubs – I’d want to find out before moving him on.
@Ken,some our fans thought that Willock was not good enough for Arsenal but somehow he is good enough for Howe Newcastle (3rd). what does that say?
At the time he was transferred, the club decided he wasn’t good enough, as was the decision to sell another Hales End player to Everton in Iwobi.
The same goes for AMN and back in time, Harry Kane was also let go off.
It’s a decision down to those in charge at the time and I don’t envy them!!
In all honesty Siamois, Newcastle being third isn’t down to Joe or Howe – would you swap them for Odegaard and Arteta?
Awarding Nketiah a reported £100k a week,has opened up the floodgates for all our young players to think / demand the same kind of contract and, for me personally, I just don’t see how it can be justified from what I’ve seen of Nelson… but that’s just my personal opinion.
No I wouldn’t swap them but I disagree with you/Dan that we should ask if “is this or that player good enough for City and the likes before signing him?”I believe it comes down to systems/ tactics.a good example would be KT vs Zinchenko,fans are divided.lastly,what would you put Newcastle being 3rd down to if not Howe and partly Willock?please don’t say the money!I
Having said that,I agree regarding the impact of Nketiah being given such a contract on other players.
And those fans were right
The level we want to get too means Ken is right to ask the question .
Would Reiss Nelson get in Man City’s , United or Liverpool’s first 11 ?
Dan I agree with you, but united? Don’t make them sound to awesome esp that RW position, Antony would only be a squad player with cameo appearances for us too at most
He’s better then Reiss Nelson though
If I said to you name me 5 great games he’s had in his Arsenal career ?
He might be looking to get a similar contract to Nketiah, if that’s the case then let him leave
I hope he stays. He’s an arsenal graduate and he’s made a massive impact in very few minutes this season, stepping up at important times. It’s hard to find players like that.
If he’s rejected a contract offer, it could be for multiple reasons. I’d wait to find out before passing judgement.
Arteta doesn’t trust him enough so it’s inevitable that he should find a new team that will guarantee him more plying time. good luck to him.
Not shocked
He is a young player with a lot of options but a tough decision to make.
It just depends on the individual player and what they want.
Nketiah has been happy to be a squad player at his boyhood club but that it not for everyone. Patino wants first team football and he is only 19. I can see both points of view.
Absolutely not surprising because he received quite limited playing time.The gaffer has much room for improvement on squad rotation management and timeous substitution, and has cost us the league
Probably the best thing for himself. Won’t be surprised to see Smith Rowe also doing something similar. You are either in with Arteta or out and some players are given opportunity after opportunity and after a few good games become, Irreplaceables if not exactly invincibles. Re, Nketien and Xhaka. If two big, expensive names are not signed this season we will at best be celebrating another fourth place finish at the end of 23-24.
It’s a shame, because I think you can finally see his potential coming out, and he is playing w loads of confidence. But the fact of the matter is he just won’t see enough playing time next season, so while I’d love for him to sign a new contract, I wouldn’t blame him for doing what is probably best for his career.
More lost revenue, this is why our net spend is so poor.
We reportedly want Caceido from Brighton and Brighton reportedly want Nelson ! Maybe a bit more to it than we can see?
Negotiations are still ongoing.
I like Reiss Nelson as he can play the box to box midfielder role (bit like Aaron Ramsey) instead of winger where he can be a backup.
We do not have a bob to box midfielder which gives the passers so many options.
I think he wants to see how far can he go. Imagine himself being member of a core team that top clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona, AC Milan or PSG. He certainly has time on his side.