Arsenal wonder kid Reiss Nelson is close to joining Hoffenheim.
According to reports, the youngster is set to complete a move to the Bundesliga side in the coming days. His contract with the Gunners is set to expire at the end of the current campaign and negotiations over a potential new deal has stalled in the recent weeks.
The 18-year-old looked set to commit his future to the Gunners towards the end of last season but, according to reports from Germany, the England Under-19 international is expected to move on before the German transfer window closes on Friday.
Nelson was born on 10 December 1999 in Elephant and Castle, London to a Zimbabwean father and English mother. He joined the Arsenal academy when he was nine years old. Nelson made a great impression on youth coaches, subsequently being regularly moved up to squads above his age group.
Nelson has played 35 games for the Arsenal youth teams, including 9 games in U-21 team in the 2016-17 campaign. Following several impressive performances in the youth teams, Nelson signed his first professional contract with Arsenal on 10 December 2016 following his 17th birthday. Arsène Wenger included Nelson in the squad for 2017–18 pre-season tour.
On 19 July 2017, Nelson made his first senior appearance for Arsenal against Bayern Munich in a 2017 International Champions Cuppre-season match. Nelson made his first competitive appearance for Arsenal’s first team in the Community Shield, coming on as a substitute against Chelsea. Arsenal went on to win 4-1 on penalties.
On 14 September 2017, Nelson made his European debut as he came on as a substitute for Theo Walcott at the 82nd-minute mark in the Europa League match against FC Köln. He made his first start for the club against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup on 20 September 2017.
On 20 January 2018, Nelson made his Premier League debut in a 4–1 win against Crystal Palace, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.
On 8 April 2018 Nelson made his first Premier League start in a 3-2 win over Southampton. He was subsituted off in the 64th minute for Jack Wilshere.
On 17 May 2018, Nelson won the PL2 Player of the Year award.