Fulham Pushing to Sign Arsenal Forward This Summer – Report | OneFootball

Fulham Eye Arsenal Winger Reiss Nelson: What This Means for Both Clubs

Fulham have made a formal approach to Arsenal over bringing Reiss Nelson back to Craven Cottage, according to a report from The Evening Standard. The 25-year-old winger, an academy graduate from Hale End, spent last season on loan under Marco Silva, making 12 appearances and scoring twice before a hamstring injury in December cut his campaign short.

As Arsenal prepare for their pre-season tour of Asia, talks between the clubs are ongoing. Reports suggest both sides would like to finalise a deal before the Gunners depart on Saturday, though the structure of the move — whether a permanent transfer or a second loan — remains under discussion.

Fulham’s Need for Summer Reinforcements

Fulham’s transfer window has been unusually quiet. Despite extending contracts for captain Tom Cairney and right-back Kenny Tete, and warding off interest in striker Rodrigo Muniz, the west London club are yet to make their first new signing of the summer.

Silva is eager to add fresh faces to a squad that surprised many last season, and Nelson’s potential return could be the spark to get business underway. As The Evening Standard put it, “Silva’s crew are the only Premier League side yet to make any new additions so far in this transfer window.” Bringing Nelson back would not only bolster the attacking options but also reunite him with fellow Hale End product Emile Smith Rowe, offering the kind of creative, youthful energy Fulham fans crave.

Arsenal’s Perspective on Nelson’s Future

From Arsenal’s point of view, the decision over Nelson is nuanced. He has been pictured back in training this summer, seemingly eager to stake a claim in Mikel Arteta’s plans. Yet with intense competition for wide positions — Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are all ahead in the pecking order — regular minutes may be hard to come by.

A move to Fulham offers Nelson the chance to pick up where he left off before his injury, continuing the valuable first-team experience he was gaining. “He was beginning to rack up first-team minutes prior to last season’s injury woes,” the article notes, something which will weigh heavily in any decision Arteta and Arsenal make.

Set-Piece Focus and Tactical Fit

Another intriguing element is Fulham’s focus on marginal gains. The club is looking to hire a specialist set-piece coach ahead of next season, showing clear intent to sharpen up tactically. Nelson, with his pace, direct dribbling and eye for goal, could thrive in a system designed to maximise both open play and dead-ball situations.

As the window progresses, this deal may turn out to be one of the most quietly impactful moves of the summer.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Arsenal supporters, this reported move raises mixed feelings. On the one hand, Reiss Nelson has been part of the club’s journey from a young age and represents the talent the academy can produce. Fans have seen flashes of brilliance — that last-minute winner against Bournemouth in 2023 still lives fresh in memory — and would love to see him succeed at the Emirates.

However, there is also realism. The left and right flanks are packed with quality, and while Nelson offers a spark, he has struggled with injuries and consistency. Sending him to Fulham on loan, or even permanently, might allow him to finally unlock his potential with regular Premier League football, something Arsenal cannot currently guarantee him.

Supporters will be watching closely to see if a buy-back clause or sell-on percentage is included in any deal. Losing Nelson for good without a safety net would feel like poor planning, especially given how highly rated he was as a youngster.

In truth, many Arsenal fans would wish him well at Craven Cottage, hoping that with more minutes, fewer injuries and the trust of Marco Silva, Nelson can finally blossom — even if it happens in west London.