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Reiss Nelson, an attacker for Arsenal, reportedly turned down the Gunners’ initial contract offer.
In less than two months, the 23-year-old is scheduled to become a free agent. But Mikel Arteta is determined to keep the academy graduate on the team for a little while longer.
Bukayo Saka, who joined Nelson in the Hale End ranks, has since secured the right-wing position in Arteta’s team, relegating Nelson to a bit part role for the past few months.
However, the former England youth international has been invaluable off the bench, scoring the game-winning goal in the 97th minute of Arsenal’s 3-2 comeback win over Bournemouth last month.
Prior to Arsenal’s thrilling victory over the Cherries, Nelson had replaced Saka in the first half of the Gunners’ 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest, finishing with two goals and an assist.
Arsenal are likely to have tabled a new and improved contract offer to Nelson, But, the winger has rejected it.
Reiss Nelson ‘REJECTS a new contract offer from Arsenal’
The Englishman has stated his desire to sign a new contract with his boyhood club multiple times this season.
Until the end of the season, a final choice is unlikely to get positive outcome. But Nelson, who is free to speak with foreign clubs, has reportedly received several approaches from both English and foreign clubs.
The reigning Serie A champions, AC Milan, are seeking to sign Nelson on a free transfer. On the other side, Brighton & Hove Albion are also keeping interest on the player.
Nelson, who joined Arsenal as a schoolboy in 2007 and was once considered one of the club’s most promising young players, has seven goals and seven assists in 63 appearances for the Gunners’ first team since making his debut in 2017.
The 23-year-old has won one FA Cup and two Community Shields with Arsenal, as well as helping Feyenoord reach the Europa Conference League final during a productive loan spell last season.
While Arsenal remain hopeful of re-signing Nelson, the North London club will likely part ways with a number of other fringe players, beginning with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has confirmed that he will leave when his contract expires in June.
Centre-back Pablo Mari will also say goodbye. If AC Monza desired to stay in Serie A, they’d have to make his loan agreement permanent, which they did last Friday.
Balogun, a Reims loanee who has scored 18 Ligue 1 goals this season, could also be on his way out, with Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and Leandro Trossard all vying for the number nine spot at the Emirates.
Xhaka, Tierney, Alex Runarsson, Nuno Tavares, Auston Trusty, and Cedric Soares are other players who Arsenal is showing interest in. They all are on loan elsewhere and do not appear to have long-term futures in North London.
