One Arsenal star is open to leaving the club in the upcoming summer transfer window despite having only recently penned a new deal.
It is likely to be a busy summer transfer window for Arsenal.
Not only will Mikel Arteta be keen to strengthen his squad in key areas, but there will also be plenty of outgoings.
Thirteen Arsenal players could leave the club at the end of this season. Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny are already certain to leave as free agents. There are also question marks over the futures of three Hale End academy graduates in the shape of Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, and Reiss Nelson.
All three of these homegrown stars currently find themselves on the fringes of Arteta’s squad. There is an argument that this trio all need to move on to pastures new in order to give their careers the jump start that they need.
Arteta clearly lacks faith in Nelson, especially, as he has only handed the winger one Premier League start this season.
Reiss Nelson future at Arsenal now up in the air
The 24-year-old signed a new four-year contract with the club in July 2023, suggesting that he very much remained in the manager’s plans. However, since then, the attacker has been on the periphery of the squad, as Bukayo Saka has been relied upon to start week in, week out.
In recent weeks, Nelson has not even been the go-to replacement for Saka off the bench, as Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have both been afforded minutes on the right flank ahead of him.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, writing in his daily briefing, Nelson will “now consider proposals” from potential suitors, and Arsenal will also consider themselves to be open to offers for the player. However, neither the winger or the club are “desperate to part ways.”
Why a parting of ways is good for Arsenal and Reiss Nelson
In truth, Nelson really needs to leave the club for the good of his career. Arsenal may well look to bring in cover and competition for Saka this summer, which would push Nelson even further down the pecking order.
Arsenal will be looking to mount another Premier League title push next season. The chances are that Manchester City will also be in the mix at the top end of the table again, demanding near perfection from their rivals. The standard required to be crowned champions now leaves no room for the likes of Arsenal to carry any passengers in their squad.
Arsenal need to find an upgrade on Nelson, and the player himself needs to find a club where he will actually play.