Olympique Marseille have reportedly made a transfer move for an attacker that could annoy Arsenal in the market.
Eddie Nketiah has been subject to numerous bids from Marseille this summer, with Arsenal rejecting the French giant’s latest approach for the English international as the Gunners set a £30m asking price for the striker.
Even with Marseille making a £23m bid for Nketiah, the offer was turned down by Arsenal, who are seemingly confident in getting a good fee for the 25-year-old attacker, even with the Hale End graduate hardly featuring for Mikel Arteta’s side last season.
And the Ligue 1 side have now made a move in the market that will frustrate Arsenal.
Marseille make bid for Nketiah alternative Elye Wahi
According to L’Equipe, Marseille have made a bid for RC Lens striker Elye Wahi, with the forward viewed as an alternative to Nketiah having now had several bids rejected for the Arsenal attacker this summer.
With West Ham also interested in signing Wahi, the 21-year-old is quickly becoming the centre of a new transfer battle with Marseille now interested in Wahi having been turned down by Arsenal for Nketiah.
Indeed, the north London side have seemingly shot themselves in the foot in rejecting Marseille’s latest offer for Nketiah, who this summer needs a permanent move away from Arsenal after spending most of last season on the bench.
Yet with Marseille switching their attention to Wahi, the odds of Nketiah actually leaving Arsenal now feel as slim as they have ever been, with the forward now in a race against time win a move away from the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal need to find the right move for Nketiah this summer
With Emile Smith Rowe gone, the next academy graduate to find a move for this summer will be Nketiah, with Arsenal aware that they can get a good fee for the England international if they can find the right buyer.
Having stretched their luck with Marseille, it appears that another suitor will need to be found this summer for Nketiah, who is ready to forge a career for himself away from Arsenal after honing his craft for some years.
A move to France might not be on, but Arsenal are aware that they can find someone for Nketiah, who will want to prove that he can be a top-class striker if given the chance at the right club.