Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson has drawn attention after engaging with social media comments suggesting his departure from the club. This activity follows his appearance in a pre-season friendly match where Arsenal secured a 4-1 victory over Girona.
During the friendly on August 1 at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, Arsenal‘s goals came from Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Max Dowman, and Gabriel Jesus. Manager Mikel Arteta made 14 substitutions, with Nelson entering the match in the 61st minute to replace Tzolis.
Social Media Activity Sparks Discussion
Nelson’s social media engagement, rather than his performance on the pitch, became a significant talking point. He uploaded a TikTok video of himself dancing, and in the comments section, he liked a specific remark that read: “Loved the Bournemouth goal but it’s time for u to go bro. Tell the same to Viera and Jesus; we need your wages for Vini.” This comment explicitly advocated for his exit to help fund a potential transfer for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.
The 26-year-old also liked another comment urging Arsenal to provide him with more opportunities. Nelson has made 90 appearances for the Gunners since signing his first professional contract in 2016. He also liked other comments, including one that referred to him as the “pre-season king” and another requesting more from him during matches.
One fan offered a supportive message, stating that true Arsenal fans would not make such comments and expressing continued support for Nelson as long as he remains under contract. Nelson is contracted to Arsenal until 2027, having signed a new long-term deal in 2023, months after scoring a late winner against Bournemouth in the 2022/23 campaign.
Transfer Speculation and Club Strategy
Nelson’s social media activity has been interpreted by some as an endorsement of his own departure, aligning with fan demands to free up wages for a potential move for Vinicius Junior. Arsenal is reportedly exploring a significant financial package to bring Vinicius Junior to London, especially with the Brazilian winger entering the final 12 months of his contract at Real Madrid and renewal negotiations reportedly stalled.
The financial implications of such a transfer are substantial. Offloading players like Nelson, who reportedly earns £100,000 per week, could be a crucial step in managing the wage bill. The future of Gabriel Jesus, who reportedly earns £265,000 weekly, is also under scrutiny for similar reasons. Arsenal is also reportedly working to finalize a £77 million transfer for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, adding to the club’s financial considerations.
Reports suggest Nelson is open to a transfer this summer, with Arsenal willing to sell the player. Interest has been reported from clubs such as Benfica, Valencia, and West Ham. The Gunners are understood to be seeking a fee in the region of £8-12 million, though lower offers have also been discussed, with a permanent exit preferred over another loan spell.
Arsenal is continuing its pre-season preparations with upcoming matches. They are scheduled to play Real Betis in Dublin, Ireland, on August 5, followed by fixtures against Borussia Dortmund and Como at the Emirates on August 9 and 12. The team will then face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16 before their Premier League campaign begins at home against Coventry on August 21.
Source: sportbible.com
