Mikel Arteta 'makes decision' amid failing transfer talks over Arsenal star


The future of one particular Arsenal star remains up in the air as the new season approaches. We are now less than two weeks away from the start of the new Premier League campaign, with the final pre-season friendlies being played across this week.
The Gunners haven’t been particularly busy in the summer window so far, with David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori snapped up on big-money deals, but Emile Smith Rowe has left for £34million to balance the spending so far, at least considerably. Arsenal still need to make further signings, with Mikel Merino likely to be the next, while there also a number of exits that will need to take place to ensure the books are balanced.
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Hide AdReiss Nelson, Aaron Ramsdale, Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney and Eddie Nketiah have all reportedly been transfer listed, and in the case of the latter, Arsenal are not making it easy to strike a deal. According to recent reports, Marseille have offered up to £23million, but Arsenal reportedly want around £30million to strike a deal for the striker.
Marseille’s spending elsewhere could see them walk away from a deal, with the French club having already invested heavily this summer. But talks are said to be ongoing between Marseille and Arsenal as the two clubs attempt to find a middle ground in relation to the fee. Nketiah is said to join Marseille.
According to HITC, if the two clubs cannot agree a deal, Mikel Arteta is happy to keep Nketiah, and they add that is is looking likely the forward will remain at the Emirates Stadium.
Concerningly for the Gunners, though, Nketiah is one of the most valuable assets they have for sale this summer, and failure to sell him could have a big impact on their bid to remain within Profit and Sustainability rules. The news may also be concerning for Nketiah, who struggled to get regular first team appearances behind Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus last summer. The situation is likely to get worse for the striker given the Gunners are expected to sign a new forward at some point this summer, providing they have the financial means to do so within the guidelines.
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