Arsenal - Emirates Stadium
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Fulham have reopened negotiations with Arsenal for winger Reiss Nelson after failing to reach an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk over Brazilian talent Kevin, according to fresh transfer reports.
The Premier League side had made the 22-year-old left winger Kevin Santos Lopes de Macedo their top target earlier this summer, submitting an initial €30 million bid that was swiftly rejected. Shakhtar, holding out for a higher fee, turned down Fulham’s improved €37 million offer plus add-ons, with the Ukrainian club demanding close to €50 million for the highly rated attacker.
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With the deal at an impasse, Fulham have shifted focus back to 25-year-old Nelson, an Arsenal academy graduate who has found first-team opportunities limited under Mikel Arteta. Talks between the London clubs had been parked earlier in the window as Fulham chased other targets, but discussions have now resumed.
Reiss Nelson - Arsenal
Reiss Nelson (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal, aiming to boost their finances in line with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), are pushing for a permanent sale rather than a loan, seeing Nelson as one of their most marketable players. Journalist Chris Wheatley has reported that Fulham have explored a loan arrangement, but Arsenal’s preference is a straight transfer.
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Nelson has impressed in his limited pre-season appearances for Arsenal, but the arrival of Noni Madueke and the emergence of 15-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman suggest his opportunities may be further reduced while the transfer window remains open.
Nelson made just 15 Premier League appearances last season and has drawn interest from other English top-flight clubs. Fulham’s proximity and pressing need for width, however, put them in a strong position to strike a deal.
Marco Silva’s side are seeking to build on their mid-table finish in the 2024/25 season, having already added several signings but still targeting reinforcements on the flanks before the transfer window closes.
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