Premier League club eye Liverpool star after rejecting chance to sign Arsenal outcast

Arsenal’s hopes of cashing in on Reiss Nelson have taken a blow after Leicester City pulled out of a deal to sign the outcast winger.

It was reported two weeks ago that Leicester were in talks for Nelson who has struggled for game time at the Emirates, starting just one Premier League match last season.

The Foxes were confident of signing the 24-year-old on loan with an obligation to buy, as they look to ready themselves for their top-flight return after losing manager Enzo Maresca and star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea over the summer.

However, in the last week it was thought that the transfer was on the rocks, with The Athletic now confirming that Leicester have ended their interest in the player.

It is said it became apparent to Steve Cooper’s side that Nelson was ‘beyond their budget’, with Arsenal valuing the player at over £20million, a price tag that has also put off West Ham.

Leicester are working on a tight budget having encountered issues with profit and sustainability rules, and as such have turned their attention to other targets.

Namely, they have looked to young Liverpool duo Fabio Carvalho and Ben Doak.

Carvalho has impressed in pre-season under Arne Slot and after the Reds rejected a £15m bid from Southampton, it seems unlikely that Leicester can afford the attacking midfielder either.

18-year-old Doak may be more attainable, with the Scottish winger extremely highly-rated but not expected to get many minutes in the upcoming campaign.

The Foxes are also said to be leading the race for Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana who is available for either a permanent or loan transfer, though The Athletic’s report adds that they’ll explore alternative targets before making a move.

Leicester’s return to the Premier League begins on August 19, when they host Tottenham.

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