Arsenal are falling short of Mikel Arteta's claim that the club is the perfect place for their academy graduates to thrive.
Reiss Nelson is believed to have turned down Arsenal's latest contract offer, casting further doubt on his future at the north London side.
Indeed, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted:
"Reiss Nelson has turned down Arsenal's first new contract offer - but negotiations are continuing as a final decision will be made at the end of the season.
"Nelson has been approached by many clubs in the UK and abroad about the possibility of a free transfer."
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Nelson was once hailed as the brightest talent in the Gunners' Hale End academy. However, since joining the first team as a teenager, he has struggled with injuries and been overlooked amid the superb form of wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. While talks are expected to continue between Arsenal and Nelson, the 23-year-old, who has not had a Premier League start since December 2019, is said to have attracted interest. from Brighton and AC Milan.
Arteta's Academy Promise
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Nelson is set to leave alongside academy graduate friend Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with the English utility player, currently on loan at Southampton, also out of contract this summer.
Furthermore, the Gunners will also lose Charlie Patino, who has impressed on loan at Blackpool this season, as the youngster wants to play regularly in the first team.
It has also been reported that Arsenal could take advantage of academy graduates Emile Smith Rowe and Folarin Balogun this summer to provide a surprise transfer opportunity to sign top summer targets. their.
Such departures would mock Arteta's previous assertion that Arsenal was the perfect place for young players to grow up. Advertisement
Speaking on Gifting Day 2021, Arteta said:
"We have a great opportunity with the young talent we have at the club. For me, the way I coach them is not as important as the environment in which they grew up.
“They have the perfect place to grow up. They see established culture, they have people who are really willing to help them and a club that fully supports them.
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