Here is your Arsenal morning digest for Saturday, January 9.
West Ham interested in Nketiah
West Ham United are interested in signing Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah following the departure of Sebastien Haller to Ajax.
That’s according to the Evening Standard, who report that Nketiah is on the Hammers wish list alongside Bournemouth striker Joshua King and Stade de Reims star Boulaye Dia.
The 21-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his contract with Arsenal and West Ham are reportedly keen to know if the Gunners would be open to a deal.
Nketiah is yet to agree a new contract and the Hammers would be open to a loan or a permanent transfer for the young striker. The report states that his future could be dependent on Folarin Balogun, whose future is up in the air as his contract nears its June end date.
Arsenal held talks with Grenier
Arsenal held talks with French midfielder Clement Grenier in the summer of 2012 over a transfer to north London.
Grenier, who came through the Lyon academy with Alexandre Lacazette, was on the verge of joining Nice in 2012, but the deal collapsed when team-mate Yoann Gourcuff suffered a knee injury.
He stayed at Lyon that year and the midfielder, who is now at Rennes, revealed in an interview with L’Equipe that Arsenal were also in contact that summer before Gourcuff’s injury changed his situation.
"It was perhaps the highlight of my career at Lyon, where I felt a coach who trusted me 100% and let me express myself freely,” he said, as per Sport Witness.
"Later, when I was perhaps hesitant to go abroad, like to Arsenal or to other clubs, with whom I was in discussions, I stayed because his confidence was so enormous that I did not want to lose it.
"And thanks to him, I made my debut for the national team.
"Claude Puel and Bruno Genesio, when he coached the reserve, also allowed me to expand my game and learn to defend."
Saliba drops Nice transfer hint
William Saliba has hinted that he might make his loan move to Nice permanent after being unveiled at the French side.
The 19-year-old defender is spending the remainder of the season on loan with Nice after being limited to Under-23 appearances at Arsenal.
He made his debut for Nice in their 2-0 defeat against Brest earlier this week and has since spoken about his future to the French press.
"I have signed a six-month contract, after these six months we will see what happens," he said at his official unveiling. "But for now I have signed for six months, I am going to give my all, and then we will see."
