Arsenal wide forward Reiss Nelson is set to quit the club by Friday to join German outfit Hoffenheim, according to Goal.
The football site claim the 18-year-old was close to signing a contract extension with the Gunners at the end of last season but he has decided to take advantage of his situation to move to the Bundesliga.
Goal do not explain if Nelson will leave on a permanent deal or on loan, but report he will join the exodus of young English talents in moving to the Bundesliga in search of first-team football.
Good move for Arsenal?
Losing top young talents is never good for elite Premier League clubs, and it will be a major blow if Nelson heads out by Friday night. The teenager scored 10 goals at Under-23s level for Arsenal last season en route to winning the Premier League 2 player of the year award, and broke into the senior side under Arsene Wenger. The England Under-19 international made his Premier League debut in January and made 16 appearances in all for the first team, a notable achievement for one so young. Arsenal will be bitterly disappointed to lose him, and there will be question marks over why he was not tied down to a new contract last season.
This Is Futbol rating 2/10
Likely to happen?
Given how convinced Goal appear to be that the deal is all but done, this transfer – which is written as if it will be a permanent one – is highly likely. Moreover, with Nelson out of contract in 10 months, Arsenal are vulnerable to losing him after he stalled on signing a new contract.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10