Aston Villa and Norwich have joined the host of clubs interested in taking Eddie Nketiah on loan from Arsenal this month, according to reports.
The 20-year-old is expected to move onto his second loan spell of the season within the next few weeks after he was recalled from Leeds United earlier this month.
The youngster scored five goals, including three off the bench, in the Championship to help win Marcelo Bielsa’s side win five points but he wasn’t handed a start until after Christmas.
The Gunners were said to be unhappy about his lack of opportunities and are looking to send him to a club more likely to give him first-team minutes for the remainder of the season.
Bristol City were reportedly in pole position to secure his services having just missed out on getting him in the summer, while Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday are said to have been the two other clubs involved in a three-way tussle for his signature.
However, according to Bristol Live, Villa and Norwich have joined the race due to their need for goals after key injuries.
Dean Smith is reportedly “desperate” to add to a Villa attack that has been hit by the injury to Wesley Moraes and could pursue Nketiah if other moves fail.
Norwich striker Teemu Pukki, meanwhile, has picked up a hamstring injury and boss Daniel Farke – similar to Smith – is eyeing a striker.
Brazilian striker Wesley could be set to miss the rest of Villa’s survival campaign after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in the 2-1 win over Burnley on New Year’s Day.
Meanwhile, Pukki’s injury is a key blow for the Canaries but he is not expected to be sidelined for a prolonged period.
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