Cheltenham Town and Cambridge United are among the clubs chasing 20-year-old Arsenal striker Nathan Butler Oyedeji, as reported by Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider.
The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan with Accrington Stanley, has been told by the Gunners he is once again allowed to go out on loan. And the striker is thought to have many potential suitors in numerous countries, such as Germany and Belgium.
However, the League One due have reportedly offered the 20-year-old the chance to remain in England, as both clubs look to add to their attacking options ahead of the new season beginning. Scottish Premiership side Ross County are also a club named on the list of clubs interested in Oyedeji’s services next season. It was revealed yesterday that the Gunners had told Oyedeji he was free to leave on loan before the close of the window at the end of August, and that seems to have put clubs globally on alert.
Last season’s loan spell with Accrington Stanley was the youngster’s first taste of senior football. The striker did not find the net, as the club were relegated from the third tier last season. With nine goals and five assists across the Gunners’ youth teams, Oyedeji was named in two matchday squads for the first team but did not feature in those games.
Cheltenham Town are looking to replace a key player in the forward line, as Alfie May departed for League One side Charlton Athletic. And despite the signing of Rob Street from Crystal Palace, they will still be looking to add firepower to their forward line. Meanwhile, Cambridge survived in the third tier by the narrowest of margins on the final day and have completed the signing of Elias Kachunga already but will still want to keep strengthening their squad.
Writer’s View
Oyedeji is a young talent, and at 20 years of age, he still has plenty to offer. Coming from an academy like Arsenal’s, a League One club could be getting a fantastic talent, despite his lack of goals in his loan spell last season. The 20-year-old will be looking to follow in the footsteps of players like Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun, whose loan spells have seen them given chances or transfer interest. However, the young striker is nowhere close to a spot in the first team, especially if Folarin Balogun can not threaten the starting XI right now.
