Arsenal 'expected to accept' new Eddie Nketiah offer from Premier League side

Crystal Palace are close to securing a permanent transfer for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, reports have confirmed.

The 25-year-old striker has been on fringes of the Gunners squad since breaking into the senior setup but did make ten Premier League starts last season out of a total 27 games, scoring five goals and contributing two assists.

Nottingham Forest had been keen to sign Nketiah but the move broke down after difficulties arose during negotiations. Ligue 1 outfit Marseille also saw two bids for the one-time England international turned down.

However, the former Leeds United loanee is now expected to get his summer move with Palace offering £25m plus £5m in add-ons, according to The Athletic.

Nketiah's current contract still runs until 2027 after he penned new terms two years ago but the north London giants are not expected to turn down the Eagles' proposal.

The forward has been an unused substitute in both of Arsenal's first two Premier League fixtures of the season, watching on as they picked up all six points on offer.

His arrival would come as a major boost for Palace, who have lost their two league games so far to Brentford and West Ham United. Michael Olise departed for Bayern Munich earlier in the window and Joachim Andersen and Jordan Ayew have also left, while Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada and Chadi Riad have been brought in.

Three of Nketiah's five league goals last season arrived in one match as he memorably tore apart Sheffield United during a 5-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in October. He also netted in the Champions League for the first time away at PSV Eindhoven.

Nketiah made his first-team debut for Arsenal during the 2017/18 season and scored his first Premier League goal on the final day of the following campaign.

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