Arsenal to reduce asking price for Eddie Nketiah as Marseille shows transfer interest

Arsenal may consider reducing their asking price for Eddie Nketiah, potentially paving the way for the striker to move to Marseille in the upcoming transfer window.

Marseille have been locked in talks with Arsenal for the past month but discussions had appeared to have reached an impasse, with the Gunners driving a hard bargain for Nketiah’s signature.

This is despite the fact that Nketiah, a product of Arsenal’s academy, made just ten Premier League starts for his boyhood club last season while finding the net five times in the English top flight.

It’s understood Nketiah is keen for a fresh challenge away from the Emirates in order to secure regular playing time at a crucial stage of his career, with Crystal Palace also credited with an interest in the 25-year-old.

Marseille were on the verge of giving up hope in their pursuit of Nketiah but Foot Mercato claim Arsenal have softened their stance and are ready to drop their £30m valuation of the attacker.

Arsenal’s previous asking price had forced Marseille to consider alternative targets, with reports in France suggesting the Ligue 1 club had lodged an opening bid for Lens’ Elye Wahi.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal’s change of heart could tempt Marseille into making an offer for Nketiah – who has reportedly agreed personal terms over a switch to the Stade Velodrome.

Nketiah’s current contract in north London, which he signed two years ago, runs through to the summer of 2027.

The forward has been capped once by the England national team and is the all-time record goalscorer for the Three Lions’ Under-21 side, netting 16 times in 17 appearances.

After joining Arsenal at the age of 14, Nketiah has gone on to score a total of 38 goals in 168 games for the north London giants across seven seasons with the first-team squad.

Speaking last month, Nketiah claimed Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States offered a ‘really good chance’ to make an impact and impress Mikel Arteta.

‘Pre-season is really good for a lot of the lads who haven’t trained or played with us that much to show what they can do,’ Nketiah said.

‘It gives people opportunities to show themselves and get fit, so hopefully they can take them.

‘It’s a platform, even for us now, to make our mark and start playing games regularly and get fit.

‘I think there are a lot of examples of players who did well in pre-season and gone on to play and have minutes in the first team, so it’s a really good chance.’

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