Fulham re-enter race for Reiss Nelson after rejection

Fulham have revived their interest in the Arsenal winger following a failed pursuit of their primary target from Ukraine.

Fulham have renewed their pursuit of Reiss Nelson after seeing their move for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin fail earlier this summer. According to The Mirror, Marco Silva’s side are back in discussions with Arsenal over a potential deal for the 25-year-old, who spent time on loan at Craven Cottage during the 2024/25 campaign.

The west London club had temporarily shifted their focus away from Nelson to chase Kevin, a 22-year-old Ukrainian international. However, Shakhtar Donetsk rejected Fulham’s proposal for the versatile attacker, whilst the player himself showed little enthusiasm for a move to west London.

This setback has prompted Fulham to revive their interest in Nelson, who made a positive impression during his loan spell last season before a season-ending injury curtailed his involvement.

Nelson has since returned to full training with Arsenal following hamstring surgery in February. The Hale End graduate impressed during the Gunners’ pre-season tour of Asia, showcasing his technical ability and pace on the flanks.

The transfer dynamics remain complex, with Fulham preferring to structure an initial loan deal whilst Arsenal favour a permanent sale. The North London club view Nelson as one of their most sellable assets, particularly valuable under Profit and Sustainability Regulations as his transfer would represent 100 per cent profit due to his academy background.

Since breaking through at Arsenal aged 17, he has accumulated 90 first-team appearances, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists across all competitions.

His loan experience extends beyond Fulham, with successful spells at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga and Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, where he helped the Dutch side reach the Europa Conference League final. This European experience, combined with his Premier League familiarity, makes him an attractive proposition for clubs seeking proven quality.

The situation has attracted interest from other Premier League sides, creating competition for Fulham’s pursuit. Mikel Arteta will be keen to understand his squad options for the upcoming season, with their season opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford now just one week away.