Roma director now wants to sign 25-year-old Arsenal star - report
Serie A club Roma have joined Fulham in the race to sign Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson.
The 25-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements by the Gunners, and he is poised to leave the club before the transfer window concludes.
Fulham have already opened negotiations with Arsenal for the talented winger, but have yet to find a suitable agreement to secure his signature.
Amidst this, Corriere dello Sport (page 10) claim Roma sporting director Frederic Massara has identified Nelson as a suitable profile for the Italian outfit.
Massara has good connections with intermediaries and agents in the Premier League, and Nelson is one of the players on the radar of the Giallorossi.
The Italian outlet add that Nelson’s speed and dribbling could prove useful in Serie A.
Arsenal must hold out for permanent bids for Nelson
The 25-year-old spent the previous campaign on loan with Fulham. He managed three goal contributions from 13 appearances before a season-ending hamstring injury.
Nelson was a regular starter on the left wing under manager Marco Silva before his setback, and it is unsurprising that the Cottagers are exploring a fresh approach.
The winger has a Transfermarkt value of £14 million. In our view, the Gunners must hold out for at least £20m to allow his departure during the ongoing transfer window.
With under two years left on his contract, it does not make sense to sanction another loan deal.
Fulham have yet to secure a suitable deal with the Gunners for the versatile ace, and it remains to be seen whether the Giallorossi can compete with the west London outfit.
Roma have already spent over £20m apiece on Wesley and Neil El Aynaoui this summer, and are capable of making such an outlay to purchase Nelson before the deadline.
However, Nelson may have to accept a pay cut on his £100,000 per week salary for a move to materialise. Arsenal will be hoping to sort out his transfer as soon as possible.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com
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