Reiss Nelson: Why Arsenal winger didn’t join Milan despite appealing offer

Journalist Charles Watts reports Milan made an ‘appealing’ offer to sign Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson last summer, but the Gunners didn’t want to lose him on a free transfer.

Milan were close to signing Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson last summer and made an appealing offer to get the former U21 England international, reports Charles Watts.

The journalist has told Caught Offside that the Rossoneri were close to signing the 24-year-old on a free transfer a year ago and that their offer was so good that “many at Arsenal” believed he would have joined the Rossoneri.

However, “Nelson loves Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta was happy with the performances he produced over the second half of last season,” explained Watts.

Furthermore, Arsenal didn’t want to lose the winger on a free transfer so they eventually offered him a new deal until June 2027 with an option for a further year.

Nelson has been struggling with playing time this season, collecting just 656 minutes on the pitch across all competitions.

He has just one goal and three assists in 23 appearances with the Gunners, so Watts believes the 24-year-old will leave the Emirates at the end of the season.