(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Thu 28 May 2026 12:45, UK

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Arsenal defender Josh Nichols is a target for Ligue 2 side Annecy and several other European clubs, sources have told Football Insider.

The right-back is currently “exploring his options” ahead of his contract at the Emirates Stadium expiring this summer, and clubs are already queuing up to offer him a deal.

Sources have indicated that an unnamed Croatian club have already made an offer to the 19-year-old, who is destined to leave North London on a free transfer this summer.

Nichols played for the Gunners’ first team in the 2024-25 pre-season tour and was later given a first-team debut in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton in September 2024.

Arsenal’s transfer plans are set to see them strengthen their squad once again this summer, and that could block the way for talented youngsters like Nichols to break into the fold.

Arsenal set to lose promising young talent in Josh Nichols

Nichols has been part of the academy setup at Arsenal since the age of eight, but he now looks set to move on to a new challenge ahead of next season.

The starlet has represented the Gunners at U18, U19 and U21 levels, but appears set to miss out on an illustrious appearance for the first team in the Premier League.

He turned out 11 times for the U21 side in Premier League 2 this term, but will now move to take on a first challenge in the senior men’s game.

Annecy are prepared to offer him the chance to head over to France, which has become a well-trodden path for young English players in recent years.

Interest is currently building from across Europe, and Nichols also has the less familiar avenue of a move to Croatia on the table as an option for him.

There is no sign of him penning a new deal to stay in North London, as Arsenal are prepared to lose out on one of their up-and-coming talents.

Arsenal set-piece coach lands huge bonus

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has received a £10,000 bonus for every goal scored from a deadball situation after the team secured the Premier League title.

The Gunners’ prowess from corners and free-kicks has played a huge role in their success this term, as their tally of goals from those situations already stands at 34 in all competitions ahead of the Champions League final.

As a result, Jover has pocketed a cool £340,000 from his work on the training ground this term, on top of his initial wage as part of Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff.

He has been credited as the driving force behind the team’s remarkable statistics from corners, as they broke the Premier League record by netting 19 goals from those situations this term.