30 December 2023 , 18:23
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Arsenal could field loan offers for Reiss Nelson next month - even though the homegrown winger wants to stay at the Emirates.
Nelson, 24, signed a new contract with Arsenal earlier this year but the Hale End graduate has found his first-team opportunities restricted so far this term and has featured for just 89 minutes in the Premier League.
Despite his limited minutes, the versatile winger is attracting interest from elsewhere ahead of the January transfer window. And with Arsenal planning to be active in the window, they could consider loaning Nelson out if they were to receive an enticing offer which would free up valuable funds.
According to CBS Sports, Wolves are one of Nelson's suitors, while there is also interest from overseas in the form of La Liga outfit Sevilla. However, the report goes on to outline that Nelson would prefer to stay and fight for his place at Arsenal, presenting Mikel Arteta with a potential dilemma.
The Spaniard is understood to be targeting a No.9 in a bid to add some additional firepower to a team that has struggled in front of goal in recent weeks.
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Ivan Toney remains the club's top transfer target, but a deal will be difficult due to Arsenal's Financial Fair Play commitments. And while it's unclear whether the club would actively entertain offers for Nelson, Arteta may have to sacrifice players to bring in his top target - even if the Nelson would rather stay put.
Join the debate! Do you think Arsenal should let Nelson out on loan? Let us know here.
Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson is attracting loan interest ahead of the January transfer window (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC)Interest in Nelson comes just months after he put pen to paper on a new contract. His previous deal was due to expire in the summer, meaning he would have been free to leave the Emirates as a free agent.
Nelson outlined earlier this year that a shift in attitude had convinced Arteta that he could be apart of the project he's building at the Emirates after biding his time out on loan.
He told The Athletic back in February: “It was pretty clear that we both had the same intentions. He [Arteta] said he saw a very good change in my mentality and how I approach things.
“He said it was never my football ability, it was just he felt sometimes I could be — not immature — but I didn’t understand the opportunity I had in front of me. That’s something I had to learn at Feyenoord and he wants me to carry it into Arsenal.”