Reiss Nelson’s loan move to Brentford contains an option to buy the Arsenal winger, according to reports.
Brentford and Arsenal confirmed the loan transfer of Reiss Nelson between the two clubs late on transfer deadline day, but neither made any mention of a possible option to make the move permanent.
Brentford reported that it would be “a season-long loan”, and Arsenal did the same. Yet reports suggest there’s more to it than that.
David Ornstein, Jay Harris, and Art de Roche report for The Athletic that club sources have told them the deal includes an option to make the deal permanent. Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports News reports the same.
The exact value of the option remains undisclosed, but it seems clear that it exists.
Fulham had also held advanced talks over a deal to sign Nelson again, having loaned him in last season. The Cottagers were reportedly also in talks over either a permanent transfer or a loan with an option to buy.
Yet Fulham stalled and delayed and eventually Brentford seized the opportunity to hijack the deal.
Brentford had lost Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United and Yoane Wissa to Newcastle United in the summer window, so they were certainly in need of reinforcements.
Nelson’s contract at Arsenal lasts until 2027, with an option to extend to 2028. So if he has a good season but Brentford opt not to activate their option to buy, the winger should still hold some value to Arsenal.
But perhaps the best thing for all parties is that Nelson plays well and gets a permanent transfer, marking a clean break and a fresh start.
With the international break now underway, Brentford won’t be in action until they play Chelsea on Saturday, September 13th. Nelson has a couple of weeks to get up to speed with some of his new teammates before then.
