In a recent tweet, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has stated that West Ham United are facing stiff competition from Watford and Crystal Palace in the race to land Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah this summer. It is understood that the Gunners forward is yet to agree on a new contract with his current deal at North London set to run out at the end of next season, so the Hammers are still in with a chance of sealing a move for him in this off-season.
Eddie Nketiah received a new contract proposal from Arsenal days ago, as reported by @theathleticuk. There’s still nothing agreed as of today. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
West Ham, Watford, Crystal Palace are interested. Bayer Leverkusen are pushing since months to sign him on a permanent deal.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 14, 2021
Nketiah’s Lack Of Game Time In English Football Last Season
The London-born sensation impressed in patches for Arsenal in the previous campaign as he put in a few goal-scoring displays as the focal point of Mikel Arteta’s attack. Nketiah banged in six goals and secured one assist in 29 matches for the Gunners last season across all fronts.
Most of his appearances have come off the bench which explains why he could only average 0.7 shots, 0.5 key passes and 0.4 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League. At least, Nketiah was tidy when distributing the ball in the final third after making 82.4% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
Unless the Gunners forward decides to pen a new contract, Arteta would have no choice but to cash in on him this summer as he cannot afford to risk losing the 22-year-old as a free agent when his contract runs out next year.
Should Moyes Snap Nketiah Up This Summer?
Nketiah has shown some promising signs over the past ten months but he is still not good enough to feature for Arsenal week in week out. He has decent pace in his locker and can make some well-timed runs in behind the opponent’s defence. The English marksman is proficient at generating a yard of space for himself to get a few shots in at goal. However, he has to find a way to be more clinical in the attacking third if he intends to become a top goal-getter someday.
Despite his recent struggles at North London, Nketiah can be a star in the making as long as he can get regular game time in top-flight football over the next few seasons. At 22, the best is yet to come from the English forward, so if David Moyes is willing to play him regularly at the London Stadium, the West Ham boss should consider snapping Nketiah up before the start of the new campaign.
The 17-time England Under-21 international could add some healthy competition for Michail Antonio at the East London club in the coming seasons. Hence, Moyes should think about going all out to secure his signature this summer.
