Nottingham Forest are edging closer to a deal for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, sources have told ESPN’s James Olley.
Forest had an opening bid of £25 million including add-ons rejected by Arsenal but talks have continued and sources have said there is optimism an agreement could be reached in the coming days.
Arsenal have been holding out for a fee of between £30m and £35m after negotiations collapsed with Marseille as the Ligue 1 club refused to meet their demands.
Sources have said Crystal Palace are monitoring the situation but are yet to make a formal approach, leaving Forest to lead the race as things stand. Nketiah joined Arsenal aged 14 and has scored 38 goals from 168 appearances.
Allowing the 25-year-old to leave would free up funds to aid Arsenal’s pursuit of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. Sources have said the midfielder wants to move to Emirates Stadium but the clubs are yet to finalise a fee, although ESPN reported last weekend that a deal is likely to be struck for a figure in the region of £28m.
