Patrick Vieira reportedly wants to bring Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace on a Bosman deal as the striker inches closer to an exit from Arsenal.

According to The Sun, Eddie Nketiah is becoming a key transfer target for Crystal Palace ahead of the summer transfer window, with Patrick Vieira eyeing a Bosman move for the striker. The Arsenal academy graduate is nearing an exit from the Emirates as he seeks regular playing time.

Eddie Nketiah has been blessed with regular game-time in the last few weeks since Mikel Arteta decided to include him in place of Alexandre Lacazette. The Frenchman’s dwindling form let the Spanish manager gamble on his limited choices and gave the Arsenal academy graduate the chances he craved.

Nketiah repaid the faith by putting in impressive performances in wins over Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham United. Nketiah could start the remainder of Arsenal’s games and help the club clinch a top-four place.

Arteta has been vocal about his desire to keep Nketiah beyond his contract, which expires in the summer. Arsenal are readying a final contract offer for the young forward to keep him at the club for a few more years. However, regular game time remains at the forefront of conversations, and it will be key in determining the striker’s next step.

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As things stand, Nketiah is likely to leave in a Bosman move, and there are many clubs from within London eager to sign him. West Ham retain an interest after failing to convince Arsenal in January. David Moyes wants a reliable competitor for Michail Antonio, and Nketiah could be the financially viable option in the market.

However, it is Crystal Palace, who are pushing hard to sign the striker, as Patrick Vieira wishes to bring him to Selhurt Park reinforce his attacking options. Nketiah has proven his mettle in recent weeks and impressed those in charge of the London club.

Nketiah could be the ideal replacement for out-of-favour Belgian forward Christian Benteke, who has been on the periphery of the Crystal Palace starting lineups since the start of the year. Vieira has preferred to start Jean-Philippe Mateta regularly in the past months.

Crystal Palace will hope Nketiah rejects Arsenal’s latest proposal and moves across London to Selhurst Park. The Eagles want to sign players that can improve the current crop of players and help them finish better next season. If they convince Nketiah over a Bosman move, Crystal Palace will still have to pay a reasonable compensation fee to Arsenal, which could be determined based on different factors.

As things stand, Nketiah may not see a bright future for himself at Arsenal, considering they are searching for new strikers in the market. Gabriel Jesus, Victor Osimhen and Lautaro Martinez are linked with a move to the Emirates, placing the prospect of the academy graduate playing regularly next season in doubt.

Also Read: Three strikers Arsenal should consider in the summer

While Arteta may like to keep Nketiah around for the next few years, the young forward may choose to move on and play elsewhere more frequently than he might at the Emirates. Crystal Palace are keen to sign him, but West Ham could pose as tough competitors for the 22-year-old Arsenal striker in the summer.

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