Nottingham Forest close in on Eddie Nketiah after new talks – O’Rourke
Nottingham Forest are pushing to complete the signing of Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah after new talks, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that negotiations are advancing between both clubs and all parties remain determined to get a deal over the line.
Arsenal are holding out for their £30million asking price and there is optimism a deal will be reached in the coming days.
Sources say Nketiah is excited to explore the new opportunity with the possibility of playing regular first-team football at the City Ground.
Football Insider revealed on 22 August that the striker has agreed personal terms with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side after talks with the boss.
Forest have offered assurances that the 25-year-old will be their first-choice striker as they want him to spearhead a homegrown core including Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Elliot Anderson.
Nottingham Forest pushing to complete Eddie Nketiah deal with Arsenal before 31 August
Forest have been targeting a forward all summer amid questions over the availability of Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood’s ability to lead the line for a full season.
They had also been linked with a move to sign Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez, who had also been linked to Tottenham, but concerns emerged over his willingness to make the move.
As a result, Nketiah presented the outstanding option for Nuno and all parties are now looking for the deal to reach a conclusion.
He has been at Arsenal since joining from Chelsea’s academy in 2015, and made his debut for the Gunners just two years later.
Since then, he has made 168 appearances for the club, scoring 38 goals despite receiving limited minutes in the majority of those games.
A move to Forest is said to be the sort of challenge he is looking for at this stage of his career as he will lead the line in the Premier League.
Forest faced competition from the likes of Wolves, Crystal Palace and West Ham for Nketiah’s signature, but now look to have won the race as they close in on a deal.
In other news, Everton have been tipped to make a late swoop for Nketiah.
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