One of Arsenal‘s home-grown talents has reportedly informed the Gunners that he wants to assess his options for a transfer elsewhere in the summer window.
The 2022-23 season was one of limited game time for Reiss Nelson, but he made stellar impacts off the bench against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, completing an amazing comeback against the latter with a 97th-minute winner.
Despite playing the majority of that campaign as Bukayo Saka‘s deputy, Nelson was rewarded for his efforts as a substitute with a new long-term contract, which runs until the end of the 2026-27 campaign and includes a 12-month extension option.
Mikel Arteta had allegedly promised Nelson that he would play a more important role in the side in the 2023-24 campaign, but the former England youth international started just five games in total, including one in the Premier League and one in the Champions League.
Towards the end of the season, when Arteta had almost every one of his players fit and available, Nelson failed to make seven of Arsenal’s last eight Premier League matchday squads, finding himself frozen out alongside Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares.
The latter two have now departed on free transfers at the end of their deals, and having failed to earn the minutes that he was apparently promised when signing his deal, Nelson is expected to follow suit.
According to The Athletic, the 24-year-old has now let it be known to Arsenal that he wants to explore any viable transfer opportunities that come his way over the next several weeks.
Arsenal apparently rejected approaches for Nelson in the January transfer window when they were competing for Premier League and Champions League glory, but their arm could now be twisted.
The Gunners would supposedly be after bids of around £20m to consider selling their academy graduate, who is admired by Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and West Ham United.
Brighton & Hove Albion were previously considered one of the leading contenders to poach Nelson from the Emirates, but the Seagulls appear to have cooled their interest as a four-way fight materialises.
Nelson’s likely exit from Arsenal would see the winger end a 17-year stay in North London, and he boasts eight goals and nine assists from 89 matches for the club since coming through their youth system.
Nelson to lead Arsenal’s home-grown exodus?
The 24-year-old – who has also spent time on loan with Hoffenheim and Feyenoord – will likely be one of a handful of home-grown players to depart this summer as Arteta ruthlessly trims his ranks.
Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe – both of whom also came through the Hale End network – struggled for game time in 2023-24 alongside Nelson and should also be moved on if the right offer comes in.
In addition, England international goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has dropped a huge hint that he will be searching for a new club, having spent most of the campaign as number two to David Raya.
The ex-Sheffield United man recently said that he never wants to experience a season like 2023-24 again, as Arsenal prepare to turn Raya’s Brentford loan into a permanent deal.
