Arsenal 'give green light' to first summer sale but Everton can rescue Mikel Arteta

Everton might be able to offer Mikel Arteta the perfect solution to a dilemma he is facing at Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window. The Gunners are widely expected to be active in the market, with Arteta eager to improve his squad in advance of a renewed Premier League title challenge.

Arsenal have also been widely tipped to sell a number of players to boost their transfer kitty when the window officially opens later this month. Eddie Nketiah is among those to have been linked with an exit, with the likes of Fulham, Crystal Palace and Wolves believed to be keen on snapping him up.

Nketiah was used sparingly last season and is keen on leaving Arsenal so that he can play regular football elsewhere, according to The Sun. It is said that Arsenal have reluctantly decided to sell him if the right offer comes in, but Arteta would prefer not to lose the forward on a permanent basis.

The Spaniard is said to rate Nketiah highly and would rather avoid selling him because he feels the striker can be a useful asset for the future. Everton may be able to offer Arteta the ideal solution, with the Toffees reportedly eager to take Nketiah on a season-long loan rather than a permanent deal.

However, it is said that Arsenal know selling Nketiah would give them more money to chase a move for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenia international is believed to be a top target after a strong debut campaign in the Bundesliga, which he finished with 18 goals to his name.

Sesko is said to have a release clause of around £55m and it has been reported that he would favour a summer move to Arsenal over Chelsea or Manchester United. AC Milan have also been credited with an interest but it remains to be seen if they would have the financial power to match his release clause at Leipzig.

Arsenal have also been linked with moves for Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke and may cash in on Nketiah to free up funds for one of the pair. However, with Arteta reluctant to sell the striker, there is seemingly a chance that he could do business with Everton to reach a loan agreement that would suit all parties.

Arteta described Nketiah as a ‘top-level striker’ following his hat-trick against Sheffield United at the start of last season, clearly indicating that any decision to sell the 25-year-old will not be taken lightly.

“Hopefully there are many more to come,” said Arteta. “He’s got an eye for goal. You look at his stats from the last 10 years. What he’s done is remarkable. He needs minutes, opportunities and service. If he gets that, Eddie is going to score goals, that’s for sure.

“He’s a great player for Arsenal. He can be better, yes, and the best thing is the talent that he’s got, but especially his mentality is incredible. When he has that mentality with that talent, he’s going to get much better.”