Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for German club Borussia Monchengladbach ahead of the January window.
According to an exclusive report from The Sun, German giants Borussia Monchengladbach are plotting a January offer for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, who has been struggling for game-time at the Emirates Stadium this season.
Nketiah started at the academy of Chelsea in 2008 before switching to Arsenal’s youth setup in 2015. He made his senior debut for the Gunners in September 2017 under then-manager Arsene Wenger at the age of 18. Since then, he has managed 67 appearances, scoring 15 goals and setting up one more.
Nketiah had a short loan spell away at Leeds United in the first half of the 2019/20 campaign. Since returning in January last year, the 22-year-old has been unable to carve out a place for himself in the starting XI under Mikel Arteta. The Englishman started just four Premier League games last season and is yet to feature in a league game this term, with both his appearances coming in the Carabao Cup.
The centre-forward had been strongly linked with an exit in the summer, but a move never materialised. Now in the final year of his contract, Nketiah, who is frustrated with his situation at the Emirates, is keen on moving on, even though Arsenal are hoping to convince him to sign an extension.
Nketiah’s contract situation means he will be allowed to speak to foreign clubs starting January over a free transfer in the summer. However, a few clubs are willing to pay a small transfer fee to lure him away from Arsenal in the winter transfer window itself. Aston Villa and Leeds United have been linked with a move, with Borussia Monchengladbach also emerging as his suitors.
The Bundesliga giants haven’t made the best of starts to the new season and find themselves in the ninth position in the table. Goals have been an issue for Die Fohlen, whose 13 goals in 11 games is the second-lowest in the top half of the table. Strikers Alassane Plea and Breel Embolo have managed just three league goals this season between themselves.
So, Adi Hutter’s men can do with adding another source of goals at the top, making Nketiah a viable target for them to look at. Arsenal, who will be running the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the season, might be tempted to get some transfer fee for the 22-year-old by offloading him in January. However, with Alexandre Lacazette’s future also a doubt, they might have some serious decisions to make.
