Disgruntled Arsenal man could be reunited with old teammate in loan exit

Reiss Nelson is attracting interest from Olympiacos amid doubts over his Arsenal future, a report claims.

Nelson is an Arsenal academy graduate who made his senior debut for the club in 2017. Since then, he has struggled to break through on a regular basis. He spent the 2018-19 season out on loan and has struggled for opportunities back at the Emirates Stadium since.

This season, the winger has not started a single Premier League game. His only two appearances have been as a substitue.

There has been slightly more joy for the 21-year-old in cup competitions. He has made three starts among four Europa League appearances, for example.

However, he may be coming to regret his decision not to leave on loan, as Arsenal tried to persuade him to both last summer and in January.

Now, Nelson may be considering his future again. According to Football.London, one option would be to go on loan to Greece.

Olympiacos are showing an interest in the youngster, it is claimed. Nelson did not play against them when the two sides recently met in the Europa League, but they have apparently been observing him since last summer.

Having already taken Sokratis Papastathopoulos off Arsenal’s hands, they could now return with an offer for another of their fringe players. But they only want to take Nelson on loan, rather than permanently.

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal in much better place

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal in much better place

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta says the club is in a 'much better place' than it was a year ago, partly thanks to the emergence of several young players.

That could be an issue for Arsenal, who only have Nelson under contract until 2022. If they send him out on loan for the whole of next season, he would have just a few months left on his deal by the time he came back.

That would put them at risk of losing him for free, so Arsenal must weigh up their options.

Eager for more playing time, though, Nelson will hold talks with his entourage in the build-up to the summer transfer window.


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Arteta keen for contract talks with attacker

Another Arsenal player with a contract expiring in 2022 is Alexandre Lacazette. As such, the striker’s future is also in doubt.

Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Roma are all interested in signing the French striker. However, manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the situation.

“I’m always happy when people talk about our players and speculate – that means they’re doing well and getting attention from other clubs,” the Spanish manager said.

“The situation with Laca we will address in the summer and speak to him and just propose the future that we want, and that’s it.

“Up to now I just want players focused and only focused on performing and getting the best out of them for the team.”

Arteta was speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

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