£100k-a-week Arsenal outfielder ‘will really have to push’ to be granted January move

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Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah has been linked with a potential move away from the Emirates Stadium this month.

The 24-year-old Gunners striker is reportedly a target for fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in the January transfer window.

Despite signing a new Arsenal contract in the summer of 2022, Nketiah has failed to become a permanent fixture in the Gunners’ starting XI.

However, journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that, should the £100,000-a-week (Spotrac) man decide he wants a move, he’ll have to really push for it club-side.

Jacobs, writing on CaughtOffside, says Arsenal are happy with Nketiah, who Mikel Arteta views as a valuable squad member.

And with the Gunners not wanting to find themselves with even less squad depth for the remainder of the season, Nketiah may struggle to see a move for him sanctioned.

“Arsenal are happy with Eddie Nketiah, who Mikel Arteta views as a valuable squad member,” Jacobs said.

“At the moment they are not entertaining selling Nketiah in January despite firm interest from Crystal Palace.

“Arsenal value Nketiah at around £35million, but he won’t be allowed to leave unless another striker, and one within Arsenal’s budget, can be found.

“I am told Nketiah will really have to push if an offer that he feels is right for him comes this month.

“Arsenal and Arteta’s perspective is very much that they need all the depth possible for the second-half of the season.”

Eddie Nketiah unlikely to be granted move from Arsenal in January – TBR View

Arsenal have had their fair share of issues in the squad this season, with attack a surprisingly weak area for them at present.

The Gunners front line hasn’t been particularly prolific this term. No Arsenal player has managed to get in double figures for goals yet in 2023-24.

However, with that in mind, that would surely give the Gunners even less impetus to sell Nketiah mid-season.

The Hale End graduate is a decent squad option, has stepped up when called upon, and is well liked in the Arsenal dressing room.

Once the season finishes and the Gunners can properly regroup, then surely Arteta will give his blessing for Nketiah to find first-team football elsewhere.

Doing so mid-season would be nothing short of self-sabotage, so the likelihood is it won’t happen in January. Then again, stranger things have happened in football.