Eddie Nketiah’s potential transfer to Marseille has hit a snag as the French club reportedly shifts focus towards Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko for a loan-to-buy deal.
Arsenal have turned down three offers from Marseille for Nketiah, with their £30 million valuation still unmet.
The latest bid, around £23 million was also rejected, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Marseille appear to be exploring alternative options, with the highly-rated 19-year-old French forward Moukoko now a key target.
Reports indicate that Moukoko has agreed to join Marseille, turning down interest from Spain, Germany, and Southampton.
This move could complicate or even jeopardize Marseille’s pursuit of Nketiah.
Arsenal maintain that their £30 million asking price is fair for an England international striker who has Champions League experience and 19 Premier League goals.
This valuation aligns with current market rates for strikers.
Brentford recently paid a club-record £30 million for Igor Thiago from Club Brugge, and Ipswich Town signed Liam Delap for £20 million from Manchester City despite his limited top-flight experience.
Arsenal, having faced challenges with low-value departures and free transfers in recent years, are now focusing on optimizing outgoing deals to enhance their spending power in light of tightening Premier League Financial Fair Play regulations.
Marseille have the option to revisit negotiations, but they might walk away from the deal, especially after a £21 million bid for Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan was also turned down in mid-July.
Arsenal are interested in including a sell-on clause to benefit from any future transfer involving Nketiah.
Crystal Palace, long-time admirers of the striker, showed initial interest at the start of the transfer window but did not make a formal offer.
Nketiah has been with Arsenal on their pre-season tour in the United States, gearing up for the 2024-25 Premier League season opener against Wolves on August 17.
Earlier this week, Arsenal confirmed the £34 million departure of another Hale End academy graduate, Emile Smith Rowe, to Fulham, including a sell-on clause worth over 10 percent.
Although Arsenal were reluctant to part with Smith Rowe, Mikel Arteta could not guarantee regular playing time for the 24-year-old over the past two seasons, making the decision to move on a mutual one.
Read more: Ryan Gravenberch: I had a good time off, but I am happy to be back
Erik Ten Hag backs 17-year-old to follow Kobbie Mainoo by breaking into Manchester United squad
Pep Guardiola offers light-hearted view on Manchester City’s £2m fine by Premier League
Bayern Munich defender opens up on future after Manchester United bid turned down
