Newcastle United prepare to face Arsenal on Monday night in their penultimate game of the Premier League season, but a lot more could be at stake other than three points for both sides in this north east encounter.
Newcastle have reportedly held ‘preliminary talks’ with Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of a likely departure this summer, but the England international is said to be keen on a move to the Gunners instead. But the Magpies are also keen on Eddie Nketiah, who is out of contract at the end of the season, but is set to give his best audition to Eddie Howe and co. ahead of starting for the Gunners at St. James’ Park.
Nketiah has struggled to cement a starting spot in the Arsenal side since making his breakthrough into the first team in 2017, but especially over the past two-and-a-half seasons since returning from his encouraging loan spell with Leeds United, having to settle for a place on the bench as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were prioritised.
It looks as though the 22-year-old could finally bring his spell in north London to an end this summer as he goes in search of regular first team football. According to Football London’s Arsenal FC writer, Kaya Kaynak, who spoke with Chronicle Live, there is a chance that Nketiah could join the Magpies this summer.
He said: “I think if Newcastle can offer him regular football then he'd be happy to go there. They're a club on the up, with plenty of creative players, in need of a striker who scores regular goals. Don't forget the connection with Joe Willock too. The pair are good friends having come through Arsenal's Hale End academy together and will definitely have been in contact over a move."
Kaynak also added that Monday’s game against the Magpies could be a good chance to impress for Nketiah. He said: "I don't know if he'll view it as that as his focus is going to be solely on helping Arsenal qualify for the Champions League. But with each game where he plays well and scores Eddie is aware that he's putting himself in the shop window. Monday night could be as good a chance as any to do that."
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Calvert-Lewin, despite a season of injury at Everton, has reportedly already held ‘preliminary talks’ with the Magpies - although he is said to prefer a move to the Emirates Stadium.
As reported by Shields Gazette, Calvert-Lewin is on Howe’s wanted list, although the 25-year-old’s preference is to join the Gunners, despite his representatives holding early talks about a move to Tyneside.
Everton are willing to listen to offers for the England international in order to help raise funds to spend in the summer transfer window in order to reshape a squad that has performed so badly in the current campaign, where their Premier League safety is still yet to be confirmed.
