talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan was stunned when he heard Arsenal want £50m for Eddie Nketiah this summer.
The striker currently has a contract until 2027 but faces an uncertain future with the Gunners.
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Nketiah scored six goals in 37 appearances last season and has been with the club since 2015 when he joined their academy.
However, with the 25-year-old on the fringes of Mikel Arteta’s squad, talkSPORT chief football correspondent Alex Crook spoke to White and Jordan about the possibility of Arsenal selling him.
“A player Arsenal would be willing to sell if they signed their own number 9,” he said.
“But I’ve been told that the price Arsenal are hoping to fetch for Eddie Nketiah is £50million, so I wonder if that might put off some potential suitors.
“He also has a contract worth over £100,000 a week. I know Crystal Palace, Simon’s former club, have always been keen on Nketiah.
“You’ve got West Ham and Everton, Southampton all looking to strengthen their attacking ranks, but I just wonder if that £50m asking price might be a little high for some.”
Despite Nketiah’s experience and quality, former Crystal Palace owner Jordan was shocked by the valuation.
“At the end of the day, if you want to get £40 million, you’d be better off asking for £50 million,” he said. “But is he worth £50 million? Pfft, you’re joking, right?
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“There’s one thing that pays for old rope, but that’s… you’re going a bit far. He’s not a £50 million footballer, I mean, he’s lucky enough to ‘Being a £30 million footballer on £100,000 a week!’
“We’ve said it in the past, is Jack Grealish a £100million footballer?” asked Jim White, but Jordan replied, “No, no, he’s not.” But he is because Aston Villa were smart enough to insert a release clause and Man City have more money than God.
“He’s going to play in an elite team and I think comparing Grealish to Eddie Nketiah is probably a false paradise because are we questioning the validity of Pep Guardiola’s thinking?
“We have a unique manager who has produced a unique team that dominates English football. He thinks Jack Grealish is worth his money.
“Whereas I think most objective observers, perhaps with the exception of Eddie Nketiah’s family themselves, would suggest that he is not worth £50million.”
One of Arsenal’s priorities this summer would be to recruit a new center forward.
Benjamin Sesko has become a target for the north London side, but he has chosen to commit his future to RB Leipzig by signing a new contract.
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