Bournemouth have now been linked with Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal, as both clubs’ transfer windows become more busy with the start of the Premier League season looming.
Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah Linked With a Smart Move to Bournemouth
‘Initial Talks’ Have Begun
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Bournemouth have put Nketiah on their “list of options”, after losing Dominic Solanke to Tottenham Hotspur for £65 million. They have already had a bid rejected for Evanilson earlier today. Meanwhile, for Arsenal and the player, this comes after a move to Marseille collapsed.
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“Initial talks took place” today, with the Cherries’ season opener against Nottingham Forest just days away. With the departure of Solanke and Kieffer Moore this summer, and Enes Unal currently injured, they are left with 21-year-old Daniel Jebbison as their only option.
Is Eddie Nketiah the Right Striker for Bournemouth?
The positives of a move for Nketiah is that he is a “consistent performer”. He was often called upon by Mikel Arteta last season, due to various injuries. Particular standout performances include his hat-trick against Sheffield United; he is a poacher and has a natural gift for getting himself into good positions. Being a “fox in the box” can be very beneficial for a lower-half side.
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However, Cherries fans aren’t thrilled with the links. The 25-year-old does not profile similarly to Solanke, and would not be able to replicate his hold-up play due to a lack of physicality. Nketiah also lacks any real scoring record: his highest tally in the league is five, and he failed to impress even in the Championship with Leeds United. With Arsenal rejecting €27 million from Marseille, this move may be viewed as overpriced.
It may come down to whether Bournemouth want a like-for-like replacement for Solanke. Different is not always bad, though their departing number nine was pivotal to the way that Andoni Iraola played. Is it even possible to directly replace him?
