Sky Sports were the first to report that Eddie Nketiah turned down another Arsenal contract offer this week.
They wrote on Wednesday that the young Arsenal striker’s decision was driven not by finances, but by a lack of first-team opportunities under Mikel Arteta.
Athletic then confirmed the story, reporting that Arsenal offered Nketiah an extension on Tuesday, only to be dismissed on Wednesday.
The same outlet reports that there is a lot of interest in Nketiah, with Borussia Mönchengladbach, Nice and Italian clubs after the 22-year-old who signed for Arsenal when he was young when Chelsea had him. slack for being too small.
All of those clubs will be able to talk to Nketiah in the January transfer window about a pre-contractual deal to join them on a free transfer this summer, when his contract with Arsenal ends.
The good news is that if Nketiah joins an English club Arsenal look set to get at least some form of compensation.
The Compensation Tribunal is demanding that the club make Nketiah a contract offer before he leaves, which they clearly have now.
Previous reports had already suggested that it was likely that Nketiah would leave Arsenal, and the club could use the January window to try to secure a fee for him.
This now seems all the more likely with the rejection of his latest contract offer.
Nketiah made the squad to face Watford ahead of the international break, but it was his only appearance in a Premier League side all season, and he didn’t play a league minute. Arsenal are clearly not relying particularly on his availability.
Mikel Arteta had made one last attempt to convince him to stay, but the former Arsenal academy striker believes he is ready for a new challenge and regular football.
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