West Ham United have reportedly opened preliminary talks with Arsenal over the signing of Reiss Nelson.
The 24-year-old has been on the fringes of Mikel Arteta's starting XI in recent seasons as the Gunners have progressed into a side capable of challenging the likes of Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Nelson managed 15 appearances in the top flight across the course of the 2023-24 term for Arsenal, with only one those coming from the start.
Signing for the Gunners' academy at the age of nine, the former Feyenoord loanee joins Emile Smith Rowe as a homegrown talent who could depart the Emirates this summer.
A lack of game time in club football has hindered Nelson's ambitions of featuring for the England senior team, however the winger has collected 10 Under-21s caps in the past.
© Reuters
Arsenal 'open' talks with West Ham over Nelson sale
According to Football Insider, Nelson's 15-year stay at Arsenal could be approaching its conclusion before the end of the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Hammers recently enquired about the services of the 24-year-old, who is likely required to move elsewhere in order to earn regular Premier League football.
It is now understood that West Ham have entered preliminary discussions with the Gunners over a potential move across the capital for Nelson ahead of the new campaign.
Brighton & Hove Albion have been credited with an interest in the Englishman in the past, meaning that the East Londoners could face serious competition for the attacker's signature.
It has been suggested that Arteta's side would be willing to accept a £25m offer for Nelson, who has made 89 appearances for his boyhood club since his debut in 2017.
© Reuters
Arsenal making the next step
Following a hectic summer window of incomings in 2023, the theme of Arsenal's off-season business this time around has been offloading players who are surplus to requirements.
Youngsters such as Smith Rowe and Nelson were key components of Arteta's squad in the early days, however the standards at the Emirates have risen significantly.
Arsenal are now serious contenders for major domestic and European honours, meaning that their first-team squad must evolve to match those demands.
The arrivals of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko raised the levels in 2022, and 12 months later, the signings of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz had a similar impact.
Carter White
