News

Arsenal pivot to short-term deal offer for 23yo winger

Arsenal pivot to short-term deal offer for 23yo winger

football merchandise
The Official Football Merchandise Store

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal looks dejected following their draw in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal looks dejected following their draw in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano reported that Arsenal had made an offer to Reiss Nelson over a four-year contract with an option to extend for a fifth year.

But even at the time, there were some suggestions that the winger may have already rejected the offer.

Then, on Tuesday night, Dharmesh Sheth reported that Arsenal had held talks with Nelson over a short-term deal, believed to be for just one year.

Sheth adds that nothing has been signed yet, but if true, the new offer would represent a significant change in tactics from the Gunners.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal celebrates at full time after scoring the winning goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal celebrates at full time after scoring the winning goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

You can see some sense in the offer. If Nelson was refusing to commit for the long term, perhaps Arsenal believe they can convince him to at least stay for one more year.

From Nelson’s end, one of the primary concerns about extending has been his game time. He’s made just 17 appearances for Arsenal this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

His opportunities to start have been even more limited, featuring in the starting lineup on just five occasions, none of which were in the Premier League.

If Arsenal are now making promises about Nelson’s minutes that he isn’t sure he can trust, a one-year deal would give the club the chance to prove he’ll be involved without making him commit for the next half a decade.

Arsenal's English midfielder Reiss Nelson (L) celebrates with Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (R) after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 30, 2022.(Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder Reiss Nelson (L) celebrates with Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (R) after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 30, 2022. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)

If Nelson won’t extend, he has English, Italian, and French clubs approaching him over a free transfer move.

The Italian club interested is reportedly AC Milan, with Brighton among the clubs after him from England, and Ligue 1 club Nice also mentioned as a possible destination.

A couple of injuries kept Nelson on the sidelines for more than three months this season. But even when he’s been available, he hasn’t been the first-choice pick ahead of Gabriel Martinelli.

All the same, the 23-year-old has put in some strong performances when called upon, so perhaps Arteta genuinely intends to get him involved more often next season.

football merchandise
The Official Football Merchandise Store
Liverpool
Chelsea
Manchester City
Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United
Leicester City
Newcastle United
West Ham United
Barcelona
Real Madrid

Source link

Related Posts