Report: Palace eye Arsenal star Nketiah – but there’s a problem

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Eddie Nketiah has set his sights on leaving Arsenal for the Bundesliga and a major payday, according to The Sun – but Crystal Palace hope to convince the striker into a change of heart.

Nketiah’s future has has become a prominent talking point once again. It has been known for some time that he is out of contract at the end of the season. And it had been claimed that he had informed the Gunners that he intended to leave.

The early stages of the campaign hinted that a change of heart was unlikely. He did not make a single appearance in the Premier League until December.

However, in recent times, questions have started being asked about the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Alexandre Lacazette is also out of contract in the summer.

And Nketiah has provided a gentle reminder of his quality, scoring a hat-trick against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup earlier this week.

Paul Merson suggested after the game that Nketiah should sign a new contract. But it would appear that he has his sights set elsewhere.

The Sun reports that his representatives are eyeing a lucrative move to Germany. Of course, discussions over a pre-contract deal could start in the coming days.

However, Palace also want Nketiah. The Sun suggests that Dougie Freedman watched the 22-year-old against the Black Cats. And interestingly, it is suggested that the Eagles could target a move in January or in the summer.

Arsenal must only sell Eddie Nketiah in January if striker insists there is no chance of signing new contract

Nketiah is yet to prove himself in the Premier League. But with questions surrounding the futures of Arsenal’s three first-choice strikers, it is difficult to predict what Mikel Arteta’s options will look like next term.

Nketiah does have something about him however. So if there is a chance to keep him, they should resist the temptation to cash in in January. The fee they are likely to be offered is unlikely to be substantial enough to justify a sale.

Having said that, a January sale would make a lot more sense if Nketiah has made it absolutely clear that he is not staying.

In that instance, Arsenal need to weigh up whether the fee from selling him to a Premier League rival is better than losing him for next to nothing to a German side in the summer.