West Ham United Overtake Crystal Palace in Race to Sign Arsenal's Reiss Nelson: Report

Arsenal is planning to trim their squad this summer, with as many as nine players reportedly set to be shown the exit door in this transfer window. One of them is Reiss Nelson, who is keen to part ways with the Gunners and join a new club which can offer him first-team football. The 24-year-old winger has come under the radar of a few Premier League teams, including West Ham United. According to a report by Teamtalk, Nelson has already agreed to sign for the Hammers. Crystal Palace were believed to be interested in the English forward, whom they saw as a good replacement for Michael Olise, but West Ham seems to have beaten them in the race.

As per his current contract, Reiss Nelson is slated to stay at Arsenal till 2027. He made his debut for the London-based side in the last season of former manager Arsen Wenger at the club., Nelson, who has represented England at the under-21 level, was once regarded as one of the most talented players to have graduated from the Hale End Academy. He was previously loaned out to Hoffenheim and Feyenoord where he played under Julian Nagelsmann and Arne Slot.

Nelson rejoined Arsenal in Mikel Arteta’s first season. He, however, has never been able to secure a permanent spot in the first eleven. Arteta though has used the talented winger as a substitute on several occasions. In a Premier League match against Bournemouth last season, Nelson struck a winning goal while coming in as a super sub.

West Ham United aim to rope in a winger in this transfer window. The club wants to secure the signing of Reiss Nelson for around £20-25 million. If the deal happens, it can be the biggest sale for Arsenal this summer. Crystal Palace also offered Nelson an opportunity to play as a starter in the next campaign. The player, however, doesn’t want to leave London at this stage of his career.

According to the Talksport report, Crystal Palace have remained in contact with Nelson and are “hoping they can spring a hijack”. The outlet, however, asserted that West Ham are still “in the driving seat” and aim to complete the transfer by the next week.