So, it seems like Arsenal might be chatting with Leicester City about possibly sending Reiss Nelson there on loan, with the option to buy him later. Apparently, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano is saying that this could be a cool reunion for Nelson and Steve Cooper, who used to work together in the England Under-16s and gave Nelson his first big international call-up.
What's Going on with Reiss Nelson Right Now?
Nelson, who's come up through Arsenal's academy, didn't get to play a whole lot last season—he only started one game in the big leagues. But, he's still part of Mikel Arteta's group that's about to go on a fun trip to the US to play some games, starting with Bournemouth in California on Thursday.
Why Leicester Might Want Him
New Leicester boss Steve Cooper apparently really likes Nelson and wants to bring him in because they go way back to when Nelson played in the Euro Under-17 tournament in 2016. But here's the catch: Nelson's making a pretty penny at Arsenal— £100,000 a week! That's more than almost everyone else at Leicester except Jamie Vardy.
The Money Talk
Since Leicester just got promoted, they might not want to spend too much on wages. If Nelson has to take a pay cut, playing more games at Leicester could make it worth it for him.
Quick Look at Nelson's Achievements
- Arsenal: Nelson's first big game with the grown-ups was against Chelsea in the 2017 FA Community Shield. Then he went to play in Germany at Hoffenheim and scored seven goals in 29 games.
- Feyenoord: Last season, he was a big deal with Feyenoord, helping them a lot with 11 goals and assists in 32 games in the Dutch league. They even made it to the final of some European tournament.
- Last Season: With Arsenal, he scored three goals in 18 games, but he didn't play much—just under 18 minutes on average in the big league games. And he didn't get to play in the Champions League when it got really intense.
What's Next for Nelson?
There's so much talent at Arsenal right now, with guys like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus, that Nelson's chances to play are pretty limited. So, going to Leicester could give him more chances to shine and maybe kickstart his career again.
Keep an eye out for more info on this transfer drama, and whether Nelson ends up playing for Leicester.