By Danny Mills

28th May, 2022 | 8:30pm

Arsenal set to be stung for £31m after 'desperate' Eddie Nketiah update - pundit

Arsenal will have to pay Eddie Nketiah £31million over the course of his potential new deal because of their “shambolic” transfer policy in recent years, according to Danny Mills.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Man City and England defender claimed Arsenal are “desperate” and have little choice but to give into Nketiah’s demands.

The Daily Mail reported earlier this week (25 May) that the Gunners have offered the striker, who turns 23 later this month, a new five-year deal worth around £100,000-a-week that also includes a £5million signing-on fee.

He is out of contract this summer but is claimed it is increasingly likely he will sign a new contract that would cost the club £31million over five years.

Nketiah scored five times in the last seven Premier League games of the season but Mills has claimed the new deal will have no assurances over game time.

He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “You can never promise anybody playing time.

“If you don’t perform, you don’t perform. Simple as that. You have to prove your worth.

“Arsenal are now in a situation where it’s a little bit desperate. If they lose Lacazette then they are going to have to pay £30million to bring a player in.

“They’ve got Nketiah there so they’re going to have to bite the bullet. They will say ‘We’ve got him here, we’re going to have to pay more than we want but if we don’t do that we’re going to have to pay even more to get an equal replacement’.

“Arsenal’s transfer policy over the last few years has been shambolic at times. Allowing players to run down their contracts.

“Nketiah is in a strong position at the moment.”

In other news, Arsenal have opened talks with another striker who has told friends he wants to join.