“Arsenal’s Rebuild: Nelson and Other Key Players Face Potential Summer Exits”
The 24-year-old, who signed a four-year extension at the Emirates Stadium last summer, only played 257 minutes of Premier League football in the 2023/24 season. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard were preferred by manager Mikel Arteta.
Since the summer transfer window opened, Nelson has been rumored to leave Arsenal, with West Ham United showing interest. According to Fabrizio Romano, newly-promoted Leicester City have started discussions with Arsenal about a potential loan deal with an obligation to buy, contingent on agreeing to a financial arrangement.
Leicester hopes to leverage Nelson’s previous connection with their new boss, Steve Cooper, who previously worked with Nelson at the England youth levels. The prospect of regular first-team football at Leicester is also likely to be a significant factor in the negotiations.
Leicester, who have already signed Bobby De Cordova-Reid and are rumored to be interested in Juventus’ Matias Soule, are looking to bolster their wide positions. Acquiring Nelson would bring Premier League experience and add to their homegrown player quota.
Nelson debuted for Arsenal in the 2017/18 season but has only made 49 Premier League appearances over seven years, with loan stints at TSG Hoffenheim and Feyenoord. His time at Feyenoord saw him reintegrated into Arsenal’s first-team, though most of his appearances were in the Europa League.
Nelson might not be the only forward departing Arsenal this summer. Emile Smith Rowe, another academy graduate, is a target for Fulham, while Eddie Nketiah, who also signed a new long-term contract hoping for regular playtime, is heavily linked with a move to Marseille.