Brighton and Nice enter race to sign out of contract Arsenal star Reiss Nelson

Reiss Nelson is attracting interest from Brighton and Nice with his Arsenal contract set to expire in the summer, according to reports.

The winger has become somewhat of a cult hero this season thanks to his game changing contributions in just a handful of appearances.

To date, Nelson has three goals and two assists in just three Premier League matches, including the 97th minute winner in the 3-2 comeback victory over Bournemouth last Saturday.

That result maintained Arsenal’s five-point lead over at the top of the table as the Gunners edge closer to their first league title in 19 years.

Yet despite his heroics, this could well be Nelson’s last season at the Emirates with his contract up in the summer.

A recurring thigh injury has limited his game time for his boyhood club, as has competition for a place in the starting XI, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard ahead in the pecking order.

With this in mind, the 23-year-old could well look to play elsewhere in the near-future with several clubs, , previously linked with signing the England youth international.

And now report that both Brighton and Nice are interested in acquiring his services on a free though Arsenal have held good talks with the player over renewing his contract.

The Gunners have good connections to both prospective clubs having recently signed Ben White from Brighton, while former striker Danny Welbeck currently plies his trade for the Seagulls.

Meanwhile Nice have two former Arsenal players among their ranks in the form of midfield icon Aaron Ramsey and their record signing Nicolas Pepe who is back in France on loan.

It would take a lot to persuade Nelson to leave the Emirates however having stated on multiple occasions that he wants to remain with his boyhood club, whom he first joined in 2007.

The attacker could well make a rare start in Arsenal’s next game on Thursday when they travel to Sporting Lisbon for the first-leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie.

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