Newcastle transfer news: Toon interested in Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah

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Newcastle United are reportedly one of six Premier League clubs interested in Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah.

That’s according to the Mirror, who also name Brighton, Crystal Palace and West Ham as possible suitors. The other two English clubs are unnamed.

Nketiah is due to be a man in demand this summer, with his Arsenal contract set to expire. The Gunners are reportedly desperate to keep the striker, who has started to flourish in recent weeks. Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison has implored Arsenal to extend his deal, branding Nketiah as ‘outstanding‘.

After barely playing all season, he has been thrust into the starting lineup and is flying. He’s started five games in a row, bagging four goals in his last four games with braces against Chelsea and Leeds. He’ll hope to add to that tally before the season ends.

However, Nketiah could already be a Newcastle player had things gone differently in January.

Newcastle nearly signed Eddie Nketiah in January

The Magpies signed Chris Wood in January, but also looked to add another forward. The likes of Jesse Lingard and Hugo Ekitike were targets.

And there was also a move for Nketiah.

The Telegraph reported on January 28th that Newcastle were hoping to complete a deal for the 22-year-old before the window closed. At the time they claimed that Nketiah was expected to travel to the North East that weekend.

The Times stated he was keen to join Newcastle and work with Eddie Howe. However, Arsenal pulled the plug and the youngster remained at the Emirates. Since then, he’s been warming the bench – until now.

Nketiah would have been a smart addition in January, and could have provided competition for Wood during Callum Wilson’s injury. But is he what we need now?

Newcastle’s priority this summer is to land a striker, so it feels unlikely that our marquee arrival will be Nketiah on a free.

Wherever the striker he goes, he’s going to want assurances of first-team football given what has happened at Arsenal. Will he get that at Newcastle? I’m not so sure.