Eddie Nketiah turns down Arsenal contract offer

Arsenal’s hopes of keeping hold of Eddie Nketiah have suffered another blow.

The striker turned down the club’s latest contract offer.

Nketiah’s current deal expires at the end of the season.

He will be free to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club from January onward.

Nketiah’s decision is not motivated by finances, but over a lack of a first-team opportunities.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has publicly said he wants Nketiah to stay.

But the England U21 record goalscorer has yet to feature in the Premier League this season.

Nketiah, who came through the club’s academy, joined Leeds on loan for the first half of the 2019-20 season.

He broke into the first team as he returned to the Emirates for the second half of the campaign.

Nketiah continued to be given opportunities last season, scoring six goals in 29 appearances last season, including two strikes in 17 Premier League games.