Reiss Nelson has finally addressed his last-minute loan transfer to Fulham on deadline day, a move that came as a surprise to many.
The 24-year-old winger, who has faced limited opportunities at Arsenal, having played only 257 minutes in the Premier League last season, was set to play a backup role to Bukayo Saka. However, the arrival of Raheem Sterling at Arsenal opened the door for Nelson’s departure.
Initially, Ipswich Town was the front-runner for Nelson’s loan move. The newly promoted Premier League side was actively seeking to strengthen their squad further, despite having already made several significant signings under Kieran McKenna.
Nelson was considered a potential final addition to their ranks at Portman Road. However, the transfer to Ipswich did not materialize, and Nelson ultimately chose a move to Fulham instead.
For the first time since making the switch to Fulham, Nelson has spoken about the events of deadline day and his decision to join the team at Craven Cottage. “To be fair, a lot of waiting around, you know,” Nelson recounted to Fulham’s club media. “My brother is my agent so it was a bit easier as he lives around the corner and I was waiting at his house, all the family was there as well. It was a bit up and down, didn’t really know what was going on but in the end, I think I made the right decision.”
Nelson also mentioned his conversation with Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, which played a crucial role in his decision. “Spoke with the boss [Marco Silva] and I think he convinced me about the project and that was something I couldn’t turn down.”
For Fulham, acquiring Nelson on loan presents an opportunity to enhance their squad and potentially secure a standout player for the next summer if he performs well.
Over the past year, it has been apparent that Nelson was not part of Mikel Arteta’s plans as a competitor to Saka. At Craven Cottage, he has a chance to regain his form and either secure a permanent move to Fulham or re-enter the fray at Arsenal.
On the other hand, Ipswich’s failed attempt to sign Nelson might suggest concerns regarding the fitness of Wes Burns, who has yet to feature this season. Meanwhile, Ipswich continues to have quality options in the forward positions, with Chiedozie Ogbene being their latest addition.
