Arsenal have told West Ham how much they want to get a deal done for Reiss Nelson in time for their tour of the US.
West Ham are on the hunt for a new winger who can play off the left and Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson has emerged as a prime target.
Last week Hammers News reported that plans to sign Jota Silva have been ditched after learning Arsenal bit-part player Nelson was open to a move to West Ham.
Uncertainty over Lucas Paqueta’s long-term future is prompting the Hammers to plan accordingly.
Not only that, but new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui plans to use the Brazilian in a central role.
Back in January, Arsenal were reportedly open to loaning Nelson to West Ham.
But at the time the jet-heeled 24-year-old wanted to stay with the Gunners and fight for his place. Especially having signed a new deal in the not-too-distant past.
Hammers and Nelson want move sorted in time for US tour
The Hammers have been given new encouragement, though, after Nelson had a change of heart over leaving Arsenal for a fresh start elsewhere.
Earlier this week Sky Sports reporters Dharmesh Sheth and Alan Myers claimed West Ham are pushing to try and sign Nelson as one of five live targets.
“Interest remains in Arsenal forward Reiss Nelson,” they reported.
“The player wants to assess all his options with regular first team football his primary motivation.”
West Ham head out to Florida next week for the next phase of their pre-season preparations.
And there has been speculation the Hammers are keen to reach an agreement with the Gunners as soon as possible so Nelson can join them across the pond.
Now Arsenal have told West Ham how much they want to get the Nelson deal done in time for their US tour.
Arsenal tell West Ham how much they want for Nelson
Telegraph journalist Sam Dean has confirmed West Ham’s interest in Nelson.
Dean says Nelson is fed up at his lack of game time behind the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
It is also stated that Nelson will decide his next club based on who offers him the best chance of first team football after he made a solitary Premier League start last term.
Dean says his sources have told him Arsenal want a fee between £15 and 20m from West Ham to get a deal done Nelson.
Where would Nelson fit in at West Ham?
The biggest question is, would he get the time he craves at West Ham?
That will all depend on how Lopetegui plans to use Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Paqueta and Luis Guilherme.
Where Nelson could fit in at West Ham
If Paqueta plays centrally behind Kudus in an attacking central role then Nelson could be a first choice pick on the left.
Although even if Nelson, who can play across attacking line, shares the position with another star then he will undoubtedly get more than one Premier League start at West Ham.
The Gunners academy graduate certainly fits the kind of profile of player Hammers technical director Tim Steidten and Lopetegui are looking to bring to the club.
Arsenal are keen to raise money to help with their own spending amid the restrictive nature of PSR.
Nelson would also crucially tick the homegrown player box for West Ham – another key consideration in the club’s summer business.
Pace is key in the modern game, especially the Premier League.
And Nelson is ranked the 10th fastest player in the English top flight’s history according to data reported by The Mirror.
READ ALSO
West Ham burst back into action with bids for striker and centre-back
Paqueta West Ham return date clarified after stunning new claim
West Ham get new hope of signing striker as second move collapses
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
