Patrick Vieira hopes to raid Arsenal for Eddie Nketiah at the end of this season, according to Sun Sports.
The former Gunners midfielder has done a great job in his first season as Palace’s manager.
His team invested in young players when he joined the club and they want to continue with that model.
They have drawn up a list of targets and the report claims Nketiah is one of them.
The Englishman has gained some relevance at Arsenal in recent weeks, but it may have come too late.
This is because he would be out of contract in the summer and has rejected the club’s offers over a lack of playing time.
Palace is now hopeful they will convince him to swap the Emirates for Selhurst Park.
Just Arsenal Opinion
Nketiah has been in great form and it seems Arsenal will regret letting him leave when he does.
The striker has always been talented, but we didn’t trust him enough to develop and be our main man.
He is still not good enough for that role, but it would be great to keep him on our books even if he leaves on loan to develop himself further.
OT I never knew Michael Olise had a youth career at Arsenal another player we have been linked with.
1. What I would do if I was Arsenal:
Give him a new 4 year contract on a £10k increase in salary (£55k per week) and loan him out to Crystal Palace where I know he’ll do well for the season because that’s his level before selling him permanently for £30mil i.e do a Joe Willock.
2. If I’m Eddie Nketiah:
Well, I won’t be a starter at Arsenal if they bring in a marquee striker anyway so let me go to Crystal Palace (London team), get a signing on fee and maybe higher wages, say £65k a week, bang in the goals and eventually a bigger team, maybe outside of England, will come for me for decent fee e.g Dortmund and AS Roma are fond of English players (Sancho, Tammy, AMN, Smalling). Tammy went to AS Roma for £40mil is now raising eye brows with his performances and being touted for a future big move.