According to the latest reports from the Independent, Leeds United are poised to complete the signing of Arsenal’s forward Eddie Nketiah on a season-long loan. The Arsenal striker is likely being seen as a replacement for Kemar Roofe who went on to join Belgian heavyweights Anderlecht. Reliable BBC journalist David Ornstein recently gave a similar update that the striker is travelling to Leeds to pen a deal with the Yorkshire outfit.
Hearing Eddie Nketiah travelling to Leeds as we speak to pen season-long loan from Arsenal after #LUFC DoF Victor Orta made impressive late pitch to sell Bielsa vision & convince him to reject likes of Bristol City, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Swansea City #BristolCity #f95 #swansfc #afc
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 8, 2019
Nketiah was closely linked with a move to Bristol City before the Whites came from nowhere in the race. It is believed that Victor Orta gave a personal pitch to Arsenal’s manager Unai Emery whom he knows from his Sevilla days, and that has seemingly done the trick for the Yorkshire outfit. Even though Bristol City were the front runners to sign him for quite a while, Leeds United have managed to win the race for the talented 20-year-old.
The Arsenal man has represented England at almost every youth level and is seen as a top talent. The striker has already broken through to the senior Arsenal team and has made 19 appearances scoring three goals in the process. The forward’s record at the youth level has been very impressive, and he managed nine goals and four assists in 10 Premier League 2 appearances last season.
What will Nketiah bring at Elland Road?
The Englishman’s standout asset is his pace and acceleration. However, what makes him stand out is his clinical finishing in front of goal. The forward has a knack for scoring almost all kind of goals, and he is a live wire in and around the box. In 25 appearances at various youth levels, Nketiah has managed 21 goals.
The youngster has the instinct of a natural striker, and he can find himself at the right place at the right time. But Nketiah is more than a goal poacher as he can carry the ball well and finish smartly. The young forward can stretch play with his sharp movements, and he should fit the Bielsa system well.
Lack of cutting edge in the final third was one of the issues for Leeds United last season as Patrick Bamford and Kemar Roofe struggled to find the back of the net regularly in the second half of the campaign. Nketiah will solve some of that problem for the Whites.
Good move from Leeds United?
Some fans might have wanted to see a more experienced and proven name to replace Roofe. But it is clear that Bielsa has his own way of working and he prefers young players. Even in defence, the club is counting heavily on Ben White. Nketiah hasn’t had a loan spell in his career before so it remains to be seen how he would adjust to the new environment. We think that this is a smart move for everyone involved and Bielsa can bring the best out of the Arsenal forward.
