CONFIRMED DEAL: After eliminating Fulham, Everton, and Coventry City in the race to buy an Arsenal homegrown player for £30 million, Crystal Palace has formally reached another agreement.

Fulham in pole position to sign Eddie Nketiah

Fulham are leading the race for the signature of Arsenal academy graduate Eddie Nketiah amidst interest from Everton and Crystal Palace.

According to a report from The Sun, Fulham are front-runners for the services of Eddie Nketiah. The Arsenal academy graduate is expected to be on the move in the summer in search of regular first-team action and there is no shortage of interest in him from clubs in the English top flight.

Nketiah joined the Arsenal youth ranks from Chelsea back in 2015. In the winter of 2019, he got promoted to their first team before being sent on a short loan to Leeds for the first half of the 2019/20 season. While he has been a part of their first team for years now, the English forward has only had limited game time.

The 25-year-old was involved in 37 matches during the 2023/24 season but he was on the pitch for just over 1,300 minutes and still ended up contributing towards nine goals (6 goals, 3 assists). While Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of their academy graduate and wants him at the club next season as well, the player is pushing for a move away from the club.

The English striker is aware of the fact that they want to bring in a new number nine which could see him go further down the pecking order, as a result, he wants to secure a move away from the club before the start of next season.

English club’s keen on Nketiah’s services

There is interest in his signature from Crystal Palace, Everton and Fulham. The Eagles have a lot of quality on the flanks but they need more firepower up top and want a number nine who can add goals. Nketiah has shown great promise over the years and he could be a great fit for them.

While Everton did manage to survive in the English top flight, they had the second-worst attack last time out. As a result, reinforcing the attack is a priority for them and the Arsenal academy graduate is a part of their wishlist. The Toffees are looking to sign him on a season-long loan deal, something which could appeal to the Gunners because they are reluctant to let Nketiah leave.

But, with Arsenal pushing hard for Benjamin Sesko’s services, they could look to raise funds by sanctioning the permanent departure of the 25-year-old. While Everton and Crystal Palace are in the thick of things, they are behind Fulham in the race for his signature.