Crystal Palace tipped to beat West Ham and others for Arsenal’s want-away striker

Crystal Palace are in pole position to beat rivals and sign Arsenal’s 22-year-old English striker Eddie Nketiah.

The young gun who ended the season as Arsenal’s leading forward will become a free agent next month, and clubs are circling for his signature.

Palace have not hidden their admiration for the striker as they look to add more goals to a team that has excited this season under Patrick Vieira.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is said to be a huge admirer of the forward, and the fact that he played him ahead of Alexandre Lacazette towards the end of the season is proof of his interest.

The striker who came through Arsenal’s Hale End Academy alongside Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, is also attracting interest from West Ham United, who are looking to rebuild their squad after a disappointing end to the season.

The Hammers have Michail Antonio as their main striker, even though he is ably assisted by Jarrod Bowen.

Bowen has just been named in the England squad for the first time as reward for a strong season that has seen him take his career to the next level.

LondonWorld understands that Nketiah will take his time to decide his next move, as he looks to get more playing time.

The success of players like Marc Guehi, also in the England squad, Conor Gallagher and Joachin Andersen has made Crystal Palace one of the most exciting teams where young players can develop into real superstars and get noticed.

This will be attractive to the record England U21 goalscorer, who is looking to take his career on to the next level.

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira stood tall as one of the best midfielders of his generation, and now he is turning into one the Premier League’s best young coaches.

The Palace boss was nominated as one of the managers of the season, and it is expected that he will use his influence at Arsenal to try and convince Nketiah to come to Selhurst.