Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson could be one to watch heading out of the exit door at the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to journalist Charles Watts.
Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest Daily Briefing column, Watts made it clear that Nelson currently looks to be facing an uncertain future at Arsenal, along with fellow academy products Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe.
Watts says that Nelson came very close to leaving Arsenal last summer when AC Milan looked particularly close to securing his signature before he instead signed a new deal with the Gunners.
Brighton were also interested in the 24-year-old, and it’s anticipated that they have not gone away, so that could be one to watch for this summer.
Nelson transfer: Would this be the right move for Arsenal?
Arsenal fans will surely have mixed feelings about Watts’ claims below, as much of the Emirates crowd would surely love to see homegrown talents like this staying on and having some role to play in Mikel Arteta’s side, even if only as squad players.
“I think Reiss Nelson will go this summer and don’t think he will be the only academy product to do so,” Watts said.
“Arsenal need to bring in some cash to help boost the finances and the likes of Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe will all generate interest.
“Nelson was very close to leaving last summer when his old deal was running out. Brighton were very interested, as were AC Milan. I’ve been told the offer from Milan was a really appealing one to the winger and there were many at Arsenal who believed that he would end up moving to Italy.
“But Nelson loves Arsenal and Mikel Arteta was happy with the performances he produced over the second half of last season. Arsenal didn’t want to lose him on a free and so they pushed for him to sign a new deal and ultimately he decided to stay put.
“However, I don’t think that means he will definitely stay this summer. Interest remains in Nelson from several Premier League clubs. I don’t think Brighton have gone away and if a good bid comes in from them or anyone else, I think Arsenal will take it and look to invest that money elsewhere. It just feels like the right time for Nelson to move on now and kick on in his career.”
As long as Arsenal replace these players, it could make sense for Nelson and perhaps others to move on at the end of this campaign.