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Crystal Palace will return for Eddie Nketiah if he leaves Arsenal

Crystal Palace will return for Eddie Nketiah if he turns down Arsenal deal - GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace will return for Eddie Nketiah if he turns down Arsenal deal - GETTY IMAGES

Crystal Palace are ready to revisit a deal for Eddie Nketiah should Arsenal fail to keep him at the Emirates Stadium this summer.

Nketiah, 22, has run down his contract and can move without a fee, with Palace among the clubs waiting in the wings if he becomes a free agent.

They attempted to sign Nketiah last summer but could not finalise a deal, instead moving for Odsonne Edouard from Celtic and landing the French striker for £15 million.

Patrick Vieira stated last week that it was important to strengthen his squad after his promising campaign at Selhurst Park where he guided Palace to a 12th-placed finish in his first Premier League season as a manager.

Nketiah would provide competition for Jean-Philippe Mateta, Christian Benteke and Edouard as a central striker for Vieira.

His position at Arsenal has been uncertain after no agreement on an extension was made during the season, despite numerous attempts by Mikel Arteta to convince him to sign a new deal. Nketiah finished the season strongly, scoring five goals in seven games.

Meanwhile, Telegraph Sport understands that centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes is happy at Arsenal and is unlikely to push for a move away from the club amid interest from Juventus.

Reports in Italy have named Gabriel as a top target for Juventus, although the Italian giants are yet to make any formal proposal for the 24-year-old.

Gabriel of Arsenal celebrates scoring his goal with Cedric Soares during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton - GETTY IMAGES
Gabriel of Arsenal celebrates scoring his goal with Cedric Soares during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton - GETTY IMAGES

The Brazilian centre-back is one of the most important members of the team and it would take a considerable fee for Arsenal to even consider his sale. He joined Arsenal from Lille for a fee of around £23m in the summer of 2020, and is contracted to the club until 2025.

Gabriel started every Premier League match for Arsenal this season after missing the opening three games of the campaign, in which Arteta’s side conceded nine goals without him. He also contributed five goals over the course of the campaign, ending the season as Arsenal’s fifth top scorer in the league.

Gabriel recently became a father and is understood to feel settled in London, where he is part of a strong Portuguese-speaking contingent along with Cedric Soares, Nuno Tavares and Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal were interested in signing Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo in January, and the Brazilian could be offered as part of a move for Gabriel, although Arsenal’s priority in midfield is now Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.

Arsenal are hoping to strengthen the Brazilian section of their dressing room with the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City. Telegraph Sport revealed on Monday that Tottenham Hotspur are also showing interest in the striker, although sources in Brazil rate Arsenal as the more likely destination if a fee can be agreed between the two clubs.

Jesus already has a relationship with Arteta, who was previously Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City, and also knows Edu Gaspar, Arsenal’s technical director, through the Brazilian national team.