Arsenal star ‘decides’ amid Aston Villa and Brighton interest as Wolves ‘really want’ midfielder

Aston Villa target Reiss Nelson is reportedly set to agree a new bumper four-year contract to keep him at Arsenal until June 2027. Nelson’s future has been up in the air for months as his current deal expires at the end of the season but an extension is said to be imminent.

Also wanted by Brighton & Hove Albion, the winger has only played 173 minutes in the Premier League this campaign but has still - rather remarkably - contributed three goals and two assists. One of these was a last-gasp winner in a 3-2 turnaround win against AFC Bournemouth.

Nelson would almost certainly get more assurance of game time at Villa or Brighton but he’s now close to extending his stay at the Emirates Stadium. The Athletic reports the Gunners see Nelson as “an important member of the squad as Arsenal return to the Champions League next season”.

Injuries have set the 23-year-old’s progress back but he’s fit and raring to go for the final game of this term against Wolves, as well as the whole of the 2023/24 campaign. Arsenal having Champions League football once again will test the squad depth at the Emirates and Nelson could benefit.

Meanwhile, Wolves ‘really want’ midfielder

In other West Midlands transfer news, Villa’s local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be extremely keen on signing Bristol City star man Alex Scott. It’s been widely reported now for quite some time but Julen Lopetegui has reportedly upped the ante for the deal.

Scott has gone from being merely a target to being near the top of Lopetegui’s list as the Express and Star reports Wolves’ head coach “really wants to sign Scott this summer”. Bristol City are expected to demand around £20 million, however, which could make the negotiations a bit tricky.

Still just 19 years of age, Scott has also gained the interest of Liverpool, Brighton and Leeds United after a successful second full season in the Sky Bet Championship. The central midfielder has played 42 times in England’s second tier this campaign, scoring one and assisting five in the process.