Denis Suarez ordered his side to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah

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Denis Suarez has told OneFootball in an exclusive interview that he urged his current side Celta Vigo to sign striker Eddie Nketiah last summer – before the Arsenal ace moved to Leeds United.

Last summer, Nketiah was a man in demand. Wanted in Germany and by English Championship sides Bristol City and Leeds, the latter won the race to sign the England Under-21 international.

Nketiah scored five goals in 19 Leeds games but his season-long loan spell was cancelled in January – and returned to Arsenal where he has since scored four goals in 15 appearances. But it could have been very different.

Former Barcelona ace Suarez – who joined Arsenal on loan last season – claimed he was so impressed with Nketiah that he called Celta’s sporting director Antonio Chaves in a bid to convince him into signing Nketiah.

“Eddie Nketiah,” Suarez said, when asked about which Arsenal star is showing the most signs of promise. “In fact, I remember talking to Antonio Chaves, Celta’s Sporting Director.

“I told him that there was a very promising striker coming through at Arsenal. He went on loan to Leeds but things didn’t work out. And I said if he wanted a striker, he should call him.”

TBR’s view – Could Nketiah have impressed in Spain?

More based on technicality and footballing intelligence, Nketiah could have been ideal for La Liga. In England, it is based much more on physicality and speed – but the Spanish league is much more technical.

That could have helped Nketiah who is somewhat lightweight – though he has bulked up since the restart. Perhaps a move to Spain could occur in the future but for now, he is likely to remain at Arsenal.