Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed Eddie Nketiah will not be leaving the club in this transfer window.
The England U21 striker has made 12 appearances for the club in the Premier League this season, with nine off the bench.
Mikel Arteta Plays Down Reports Linking Eddie Nketiah With Move
Nketiah Was on West Ham Radar
Nketiah had been linked with a move away from the club with West Ham said to be interested. David Moyes’ side needs to replace Sebastien Haller, who joined Ajax for £20 million and with the 21-year old into his final 18 months of his contract, he could be at the top of the West Ham wish list. West Ham have reportedly been quoted a fee of around £25 to £30 million to sign the young English forward.
The England international is on the Hammers’ radar along with Bournemouth’s Josh King and Senegalese striker Boulaye Dia among those on the shortlist, according to the Evening Standard.
Nketiah Not for Sale Says Arteta
Ahead of Thursday’s fixture with Crystal Palace, the Gunners boss Mikel Arteta replied with a blunt: “Nketia is not leaving the club this month.”
Despite being down the pecking order at the club with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette ahead of him, he has managed to start every Europa League game so far this season, scoring three goals whilst Arsenal topped the group.
Contract Nearing Expiration
As Nketiah enters the final 18 months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, the pressure is mounting on Arteta whether he keeps faith in youth or moves him onto pastures new. The same is set for Folarin Balogun who is currently in the youth set-up. Balogun has just six months left on his current deal and is open to talking to clubs in Europe if he is to leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Arsenal are said to busy with out-goings this January transfer window with Mesut Ozil and Sokratis Papastathopoulos among the players linked with a move away.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
