Leeds United are now seen as the ‘likely’ destination for promising Arsenal product Eddie Nketiah, according to BBC Sport journalist David Ornstein.
The in-demand striker is still thought to be mulling over his many potential suitors heading into Deadline Day, but is expected to choose a season on-loan at Elland Road over a move to join Bristol City or Swansea for the term.
Gunners boss Unai Emery’s initial reluctance to send the young centre-forward away from North London on a temporary basis has been suggested as a key factor in the Robins’ position fading, although the Spaniard has had a change of heart following his side’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Nketiah, an 18-year-old prospect that has been compared with Ian Wright, shone for Arsenal against the likes of Bayern Munich and Fiorentina, netting once against the Bavarian powerhouse and twice against the Serie A side.
Ornstein’s claim that we are now seen as the ‘likely’ outfit to secure the London-born talent’s signature has been supported by the Press Association via Sporting Life, who note United are ‘poised’ to secure Nketiah as the replacement for new RSC Anderlecht forward Kemar Roofe.
The relationship that our Director of Football Victor Orta shares with Gunners head coach Emery is thought to have played a key role in the deal being made, with the Whites chief given an opportunity to personally pitch the club to Nketiah on Tuesday.
Orta and Emery worked together while at Sevilla, during a period of Los Hispalenses’ history that saw the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan natives win consecutive Europa League crowns.
It is also expected that Lorient prospect Illan Meslier will finalise his transfer from the Ligue 2 side on Deadline Day, with the goalkeeper likewise arriving in West Yorkshire on a one-season loan deal but with an option-to-buy next summer for an undisclosed fee.