New Club Linked as Arsenal's Strategy to Sell Eddie Nketiah Gains Momentum following AFC Bournemouth's Rejection of Struggling Star

Nottingham Forest's interest in purchasing struggling striker Eddie Nketiah has given a boost to Arsenal's plan to sell him, especially after AFC Bournemouth rejected a potential transfer.

Some outlets claimed the Cherries were keen on Nketiah after selling Dominic Solanke to Tottenham, but they’ve instead signed Evanilson in a club-record deal.

That came as terrible news to the Gunners, who are absolutely desperate to offload their academy graduate Nketiah in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal even lowered their asking price to get Nketiah off their books, but they’ve been unable to secure an exit, despite links to Crystal Palace and Marseille.

There is fresh hope, though, with now reporting that Forest have suddenly become interested in a possible deal.

Nketiah has three years left on his Arsenal contract and it is thought he wants to secure regular first-team football.

The 25-year-old has produced just 38 goals across 168 games for Arsenal to date and has never been able to truly cement his place in the Gunners XI.

Meanwhile, the Daily Express are reporting that Arsenal have an ‘obvious swap deal opportunity’ with Crystal Palace and should use it if they wish to finally get rid of Nketiah.

They claim Arsenal could attempt to launch a swoop for Eberechi Eze in a move which would see Nketiah head in the other direction.

That is very unlikely to happen, though, given that England international Eze is among Palace’s most talented players and is likely to only be sold for a high price.

Speaking last season, Tim Sherwood bizarrely attempted to claim that Nketiah was a better player than Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund.

‘He can play in a lot of teams,’ Sherwood said. ‘A lot of big teams. You’re telling me this boy couldn’t play for Man Utd at the moment instead of Rasmus Hojlund?

‘He’s an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund. [United] spent an awful lot of money on him. For me, Eddie Nketiah is top draw. I think he warrants playing for Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.’