'You've got to be kidding me': Simon Jordan shocked by transfer fee Arsenal are demanding for fringe player
talkSPORT's Simon Jordan was stunned when he heard Arsenal wanted £50million for Eddie Nketiah this summer.
The front He currently has a contract until 2027 but faces an uncertain future with the gunmen.
Nketiah scored six goals in 37 appearances last season and has been at the club since 2015, when he joined their academy.
However, with the 25-year-old on the sidelines of Mikel Arteta's side, talkSPORT chief football correspondent Alex Crook spoke about White and Jordan about the possibility of Arsenal selling him.
“A player who I think Arsenal would be willing to sell if they brought in their own number 9,” he said.
“But I'm told the price Arsenal hope to recover for Eddie Nketiah is £50m, so I wonder if that might deter some potential suitors.
“He also has a contract worth more than £100,000 a week. I know Crystal Palace, Simon's former club, have historically been interested in Nketiah.
“There are teams like West Ham and Everton, and Southampton, all looking to strengthen their forward ranks, but I wonder if that £50m asking price might be a bit high for some.”
Despite the experience and quality of Nketiah, the former owner of Crystal Palace Jordan He was shocked by the assessment.
“Ultimately, if you want to get £40m, you're better off asking for £50m,” he said. “But it's worth £50 million? Pfft, you've got to be kidding, right?”
“There's one thing to pay for an old rope, but this is… you're going a little overboard. He's not a £50m footballer, I mean, he's lucky to be a £30m footballer and win!” £100,000 a week!”
“We've said this in the past: Is Jack Grealish a £100m footballer?” asked Jim White, but Jordan replied: “No, it's not. But it is because Aston Villa were smart enough to put a buyout clause in there and Man City has more money than God.
“He's going to play in an elite team and I think comparing Grealish to Eddie Nketiah is probably a false paradise because do we question the validity of Pep Guardiola's thinking?
“We have a unique manager who has produced a unique team that is dominating English football. He believes Jack Grealish is worth it.
“Whereas I think most objective observers, perhaps except Eddie Nketiah's own family, would suggest he's not worth £50m.”
It is believed that one of Arsenal's priorities this summer is to sign a new centre-forward.
Benjamin Sesko emerged as a target for the north London side but opted to commit his future to RB Leipzig. signing a new contract.