The ongoing saga of Arsenal selling Eddie Nketiah to Olympique de Marseille appears to have ended badly. It seems that the striker will not be getting his desired move after all.
Eddie Nketiah Move Collapses Despite Player’s ‘Green Light’
Arsenal and Marseille Fail to Agree a Deal
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Olympique Marseille have informed Arsenal that this transfer has “100% collapsed”. It appears that the problem came from North London, as the Gunners held out for a €30 million package. The French outfit had bids of up to €27 million rejected, and so became understandably frustrated with the slow negotiations.
Nketiah clearly wanted this transfer, agreeing personal terms well over a week prior. He had given the “green light” and Arsenal are clearly making efforts to move the player on for a profit, so it seems strange that they would let this deal break down in such a fashion.
Nketiah started just ten league matches last season but bagged five goals and contributed two assists. The 25-year-old is likely ready for a move away from the Emirates, shown by his willingness to move to Marseille – a club that finished eighth in Ligue 1 last campaign.
With a great lack of proven strikers on the market right now, there are many teams that would benefit from the arrival of Arsenal’s academy product. One would be AFC Bournemouth, who have just lost their talisman, Dominic Solanke, to Tottenham Hotspur. With a club record sale of £65 million, the Cherries could certainly afford the circa £25 million fee touted for Nketiah.
Solanke scored 19 goals in the 2023/24 Premier League season; this output will need to be replaced. With 19 PL goals to his name, Nketiah could put up a healthy goal tally this season if he was made the focal point of a side like Bournemouth.
