Crystal Palace and West Ham 'join race' to sign £40m-rated Arsenal striker in the summer

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is a target for both Crystal Palace and West Ham this summer as they look for an experienced Premier League striker to lead the line next season according to West Ham Zone.

The 24-year-old has started only 10 league games this campaign for Mikel Arteta's side and the report suggests the Gunners will be looking to raise at least £40million with Fulham also monitoring the situation in north London. All three clubs are reported to have joined the race for the English striker.

Nketiah is well respected in the Premier League and wears the iconic no 14 jersey at Arsenal, it was previously won by Thierry Henry. 

It however remains clear that he’ll need to look elsewhere if he is to get consistent Premier League football and force his way into the England team.

West Ham need a striker in the summer as Michail Antonio is not getting any younger while Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is understood to want to give both Jean-Philippe Mateta and Odsonne Édouard fresh competition in a bid to implement his style of play in south London. 

This season, the 24-year-old has scored five league goals to help the Gunners put up a Premier League challenge.

Crystal Palace need a real boost 

This summer could be pivotal for the Eagles who did not replace talisman Wilfried Zaha after he left the club last summer for Galatasaray. Injuries to the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze have cost the team dearly this campaign so a new star to freshen things up and generate competition will be key. 

LondonWorld sources say the new manager Glasner will look to bring in another midfielder and try to keep both Olise and Eze who will undoubtedly be tempted to look elsewhere when the transfer window opens.