Arsenal and Spurs Target World Cup Star Nusa Amid Leipzig's £51 Million Standoff
Arsenal and Tottenham are bracing for a head‑to‑head battle over Norway starlet Nusa, the winger whose World Cup surge has pushed him to the front of Europe’s transfer queue.
The 21-year-old has just stitched together the kind of season that makes recruitment departments sit up. A breakout Bundesliga campaign with Leipzig, then six appearances on the biggest stage and Norway’s first goal in their last‑32 win over Ivory Coast. One sharp tournament, one decisive strike, and his reputation has gone from promising to premium.
Leipzig know it. That’s why they are holding the line at £51 million.
Arsenal weigh their options – and Martinelli’s future
Arsenal like Nusa. A lot. But they are playing the long game.
The club are holding back from a formal bid while they gauge the market for Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian is not on any public for-sale list, yet the stance in north London is clear enough: a serious offer north of £51 million from Europe or Asia could force a rethink.
The wing department has already shifted this summer. Leandro Trossard has departed for Besiktas, while Christos Tzolis has arrived from Club Brugge to add depth and competition. Arsenal also watched one major target slip away, as Chelsea closed a £117 million deal for Morgan Rogers, removing a key name from their attacking shortlist.
So Nusa sits there, high on the agenda, but not at any price and not before Arsenal understand exactly what happens next with Martinelli.
Spurs interested – but blocked by their own numbers
Across north London, Spurs are just as keen.
The admiration is real, yet the path to a bid is cluttered. Tottenham need to clear space before they can move. The futures of returning loanees Manor Solomon and Mikey Moore must be resolved before any serious offer lands on Leipzig’s desk.
There is, however, a clear tactical need. Injuries have carved holes in Ange Postecoglou’s pre-season plans, with Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert all ruled out of the club’s tour of New Zealand and Australia. The gaps on the flanks are obvious. So is the opportunity for a direct, fearless winger like Nusa.
Spurs have room in the squad profile. They just don’t yet have room on the wage bill or in the dressing room.
Milan and Roma move early
The Premier League pair are not alone.
AC Milan and AS Roma have already stepped up their interest, opening direct talks with Nusa’s representatives in an attempt to get ahead of the English clubs. The same report suggests Milan view him as a priority target and are prepared to reshape their attack to fund the move, with Rafael Leao identified as the potential big sale to underwrite a deal.
Roma, meanwhile, are ready to probe Leipzig’s resolve with a £38 million offer. It falls well short of the £51 million valuation, but it plants a flag: the race is not confined to London.
Italian clubs sense an opportunity. If Arsenal hesitate and Spurs stall, Milan and Roma are positioning themselves to pounce.
The player is ready – the price is not
What makes all of this more combustible is Nusa’s own stance. After a successful World Cup and a rising profile in the Bundesliga, he is understood to be open to a new challenge. That alone can tilt a negotiation. Agents get busier. Calls get shorter. Timelines shrink.
The obstacle is the same for everyone. Leipzig’s £51 million asking price stands like a wall in front of the deal. Until someone either pays it or forces them to climb down, the transfer stays theory, not reality.
Arsenal must decide how much they trust their current wide options – and how far they are willing to go if Martinelli stays put. Spurs have to clear bodies before they can even test Leipzig’s resolve. Milan and Roma are trying to exploit that hesitation, hoping a bold early move and a lower bid can tempt the Germans into compromise.
Nusa has already shown he can change a game on the pitch. Over the next few weeks, he may end up changing the shape of an entire summer window.
