Nottingham Forest have made Eddie Nketiah their top striker target, with Arsenal rejecting their opening bid as talks continue.

Just as Nottingham Forest appeared to fade from the race for Eddie Nketiah, submitting a bid for Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez, the saga has taken another twist.

On Monday night, David Ornstein said that Forest had made Nketiah their top striker target and that they were in the process of negotiating a contract. Arsenal is seeking for £30-35 million, although negotiations are still ongoing. Forest’s initial offer of £25 million (with add-ons) was already turned down.

While the report confirms that Forest have looked at a deal for Gimenez, Ornstein adds in his report for The Athletic that Forest are in talks with Nketiah’s representatives and that Crystal Palace have spoken to Arsenal about a move, though Palace are not currently in negotiations. Elsewhere, Brentford are definitely not in the race, with reports that they have no plans to sign a striker this summer even if wantaway forward Ivan Toney leaves. The club feel they have enough options up front either way.

Only 13 of Nketiah’s 37 appearances for Arsenal during the previous season were starts. The striker participated in preseason games and was included in Mikel Arteta’s squad for Saturday’s match against Wolves.

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