In a surprising turn of events, Arsenal icon Freddie Ljungberg has advised 24-year-old Reiss Nelson to consider leaving his cherished boyhood club during the upcoming summer transfer window. The former youth academy standout has faced challenges securing a spot in the starting lineup since his return from a loan spell at Feyenoord in 2022, finding himself overshadowed by the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Nelson, a right-footed attacker, has started only nine of his 39 appearances for Arsenal since the beginning of the last campaign. Despite showcasing his talent with four goals and five assists in just over 1,100 minutes of play, he remains lower in the pecking order within the squad.
Ljungberg’s Insight on Arsenal’s Squad Overhaul
Speaking exclusively to the Premier League Productions, Ljungberg shared his perspective on Arsenal’s recent squad changes, emphasizing the significant investment made by the owners to elevate the club’s standing. According to Ljungberg, the club’s focus on securing top-tier players like Saka and Martinelli has left limited opportunities for players like Nelson, who may need to explore other avenues for career progression.
“When you put it like that, it’s pretty clear. The owners have done a great job in pumping money into the club – they changed them because they want to be at the top of the table, and that cost money,” Ljungberg explained. Encouraging Nelson to seek new opportunities, he asserted, “But the rest of it is gone.”
Nelson’s Contributions and Potential Move
Despite the challenges, Nelson has been an asset to Mikel Arteta’s team, contributing to their success with one FA Cup and two Community Shield trophies. His overall record includes eight goals and nine assists in 87 games across various competitions. Ljungberg’s advice seems to align with a desire for Nelson to continue his growth by exploring different playing environments.
In related transfer news, Arsenal has reportedly expressed interest in Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, as confirmed by renowned transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano on The Here We Go podcast. Romano disclosed that the Gunners are eyeing Gyokeres, who comes with an £86 million release clause in his contract.
Arsenal’s Pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres
Romano highlighted the challenges of negotiating with Portuguese clubs but affirmed Arsenal’s determination. Scouting reports reveal that Gyokeres, after an £20 million move from Coventry City last summer, has become one of Europe’s most in-form strikers. The 25-year-old Swede has contributed significantly to Sporting’s Primeira Liga campaign, leading the table with an impressive 32 goals and 11 assists in 35 matches.
While Arsenal faces competition in the transfer race for Gyokeres, the pursuit underscores the club’s commitment to strengthening its attacking prowess. As the summer transfer window approaches, these developments add intrigue to Arsenal’s future squad dynamics, with Nelson potentially seeking a new chapter in his career and Gyokeres emerging as a prime target for the Gunners.
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