Report: Nelson becomes free agent as Arsenal deal is terminated

According to The Athletic, Arsenal and Reiss Nelson have agreed to mutually terminate the winger’s contract a year early, allowing him to become a free agent.

The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham this summer, while several clubs in Europe have also reportedly shown an interest.

Quite why Arsenal have decided to terminate his contract at this stage is unclear, but the decision will bring an end to a relationship stretching back 16 years.

Nelson is the longest-serving member of the current men’s senior squad, having made his first-team debut under Arsene Wenger in 2017. That said, opportunities have been thin on the ground. He’s made just 90 appearances for the Gunners over the last nine years, roughly the same number he accumulated during loan spells with Hoffenheim, Feyenoord, Fulham and Brentford.

In truth, the Hale End graduate probably should have left Arsenal a while ago. A well-timed run of form, coupled with the club’s need to prioritise strengthening elsewhere, helped earn him a new contract in 2023, essentially as back-up to Bukayo Saka.

Since then, Arsenal have invested in Noni Madueke, loaned Raheem Sterling and watched Max Dowman emerge through the ranks, pushing Nelson even further down the pecking order.

It’ll be interesting to see where he ends up next. There’s definitely a decent player in there, but a succession of injuries and a lack of regular football have hampered his development and, at times, his confidence. At this stage of his career, he really just needs to find a club where he can play week in, week out.

No doubt Arsenal will confirm his departure in due course.

UPDATE – the news has been confirmed by Arsenal.

Best of luck to Reiss. His late winner against Bournemouth will never be forgotten by those who got to experience it.

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