Nottingham Forest have made Eddie Nketiah their top target to strengthen in attack and are pursuing a move to sign the striker from Arsenal.
Nketiah had agreed personal terms with Marseille earlier this summer but the clubs were unable to compromise on a transfer fee for the 25-year-old.
That has enabled Forest to step up their interest and the east Midlands side have seen an opening bid worth £25million including add-ons rejected.
But negotiations continue between the Premier League counterparts — while at the same time Forest are in talks with Nketiah’s representatives.
Arsenal are expected by suitors to hold off for a price in the region of £30-35m for their academy graduate, who is under contract until June 2027.
Crystal Palace retain a long-standing admiration and have spoken to Arsenal, although currently they are not in dialogue to the extent of Forest.
The two-time European champions have looked at a deal for Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez, too, however Nketiah is the priority as thing stand and they are determined to secure his services.
It is felt at the City Ground that Nketiah would fit perfectly into a homegrown core which includes Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Neco Williams.
He has scored 38 goals in 168 appearances for Arsenal — plus five in 19 during a loan spell at Leeds United — and earned one England cap.
Forest are embarking upon a third consecutive season in the Premier League and started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
Nketiah was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
(Warren Little/Getty Images)
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