Crystal Palace are eyeing a move for Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson after Fulham cooled their pursuit, according to The Sun.
The Gunners graduate seemed on course to join the Cottagers earlier in the transfer window, but they could not agree on a deal.
The Eagles have now jumped above in the race, and the south London outfit are holding talks with Nelson’s representatives.
Oliver Glasner’s side are close to landing Yeremy Pino from Villarreal for £19.9 million, and want another forward to compensate for Eberechi Eze’s exit.
The FA Cup holders are prepared to finalise a £15m move for Nelson, provided they can agree on personal terms with the 25-year-old winger.
Arsenal set to part ways with Nelson
Nelson showed plenty of promise during the start of his career, but injuries and competition for places meant that he could not become a regular in the starting XI.
After 35 starts and 55 substitute appearances for Arsenal, he appears keen on securing a permanent transfer so that he can produce his best during the prime of his career.
Fulham would have been an ideal destination for him, considering his promising loan spell with them last season, which was cut short by a long-term hamstring injury.
Palace are an equally good club for him. Nelson has the opportunity to stay in London, and could get adequate starts to prove his credentials under Glasner’s tutelage.
Arsenal will also secure pure profit of £15m from his sale, given he is a club graduate. They will also remove his £100,000 per week salary from their huge wage bill.
This is essential for the Gunners to stay within UEFA’s Squad Cost Rule (SCR). Arsenal are said to be close to the limit on the back of a spending spree of over £250m.
Stats from Capology.com