FC Series - Orlando City v Arsenal Eddie Nketiah 14 Arsenal celebrates with Gabriel Jesus 9 Arsenal after scoring a goal during the FC Series game between Orlando City and Arsenal at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Andrea Vilchez/SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xAndreaxVilchez/SPPx andrea_vilchez_sports_press_photo_167234
Eddie Nketiah Arsenal transfer twist as another bid was accepted as he prepared for medicals
The latest Nottingham Forest transfer news as efforts to sign a striker reportedly see Eddie Nketiah agree personal terms whilst Feyenoord play hardball over Santiago Gimenez
Despite initial fears over the difficulty of the task, Nottingham Forest are believed to have reached a personal agreement with Eddie Nketiah for his transfer from Arsenal.
Earlier in the week the 25-year-old emerged as one of two prime candidates for Nuno Espirito Santo to add to his attacking line. An opening bid of £25m inclusive of add-ons was said to be much lower than the Gunners’ valuation, which sits between £30m-£35m.
Forest have pressed on with negotiations, apparently getting ‘close’ to a full agreement. If all fell into place on the clubs’ side, then Fabrizio Romano ‘s latest update would suggest the swift completion of a deal once sorted.
He claims that following direct discussions, the striker himself has accepted personal terms to move to the City Ground, with talks over a transfer fee in ‘the final stages’. This comes after earlier fears Nketiah would refuse a move if his staggering £120k-per-week wages were not matched.
The latest update also provides clarity in the chase for alternative target, Santiago Gimenez of Feyenoord. It is suggested the Dutch club are holding out with the rejection of a second offer worth €26m (£22.1m) plus add-ons.
Even if the club are actively pursuing both strikers, it has been stated that only one will end up signed before August 30’s deadline. Nuno already possesses the experienced Chris Wood – who started Forest’s Premier League campaign against Bournemouth last week – and Taiwo Awoniyi, who for his injury flaws boasts a good record of 16 top-flight goals in two years.
To say it has been a productive summer for Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side would be an understatement with Forest having now made eight additions.
Forest secured the signing of Alex Moreno from Aston Villa on a season-long loan on Wednesday evening.
The Reds were able to put a point on the board over the weekend in their season opener against Bournemouth.
None of their summer signings even started in the game against the Cherries with Nikola Milenkovic absent through a very specific reason.
But it seems as if there could still be time for more at the City Ground over the coming days as Evangelos Marinakis and Ross Wilson get to work.
Despite Chris Wood finding the back of the net on the weekend, a new striker remains a real focal point for Forest in the final week of the window.
