By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham are exploring a loan move for Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson as Nils Koppen continues attempting to add much-needed depth to Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth revealed the Hammers’ interest following Arsenal’s pre-season game against Borussia Dortmund, in which Nelson was an unused substitute.
Sheth reported:
“West Ham United interested in signing Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson. They are exploring the conditions of a loan move. Nelson was an unused substitute in today’s game against Borussia Dortmund. He has entered the final year of his contract at Arsenal.”
West Ham have been linked with Nelson previously during his time at Arsenal but never pushed through with a move. Now, with the 26-year-old entering the final year of his contract, there may be an opportunity to revisit that interest.
Exactly The Sort Of Squad Depth West Ham Need
Personally, I think Nelson would be very good back-up for Jarrod Bowen.
With West Ham also expected to complete the signing of Manor Solomon, adding another winger would demonstrate that the club are trying to construct an actual squad rather than simply assembling a starting XI.
Nelson strikes me as one of those players who falls somewhere between the margins of the Premier League and Championship. Perhaps not quite good enough to establish himself as a standout Premier League performer, but more than capable of being a very useful player in the second tier.
And West Ham desperately need those options.
Yesterday’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth highlighted the imbalance. Mohamadou Kanté was effectively shoehorned into a left-sided midfield role, while the injury to Kaiber Lamadrid has further reduced Nuno’s options for pace and direct running.
Kante was deployed on the left hand side of Nuno’s midfield
Koppen Turns To Experience
There also appears to be an interesting pattern emerging from recruitment director Nils Koppen’s recent targets.
With 34-year-old Joel Veltman, 27-year-old Solomon and now Nelson being considered, West Ham appear to be placing greater emphasis on experience and players who already understand English football.
Nelson wouldn’t necessarily be the marquee signing of the summer.
But as a loan, providing competition and cover for Bowen while giving Nuno another quick, direct attacking option?
That makes plenty of sense to me.
Isn’t that issue though Gonzo? Why would Nelson drop down to the Championship to be a back up to Bowen. If he going to leave Arsenal he will want it to be to a team where is going to be a starter.
We definitely need cover, if we lose Bowen and Taty to injury we suddenly become toothless
With Solomon’s injury record must have a left wing backup.
Both Nelsson and Thomas can give cover cross mid line right and left.
Thomas has more championship experience (and goals) but depends on price.