Arsenal Lead Race for RB Leipzig Winger Antonio Nusa

Arsenal lead race for RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa, prepare £34m offer

Arsenal are leading the race to sign RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa and are preparing a formal £34m offer, according to German outlet Fussball News. Leipzig value the 21-year-old at £51-55m and face interest from Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and several European giants.

Player: Antonio Nusa, 21, Norway international winger
Current club: RB Leipzig (joined summer 2024)
Arsenal offer: £34m formal bid being prepared
Leipzig valuation: £51-55m
Rivals: Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Roma, AC Milan, Inter, Juventus, Napoli
Source: Fussball News (German outlet)

Deal details

Arsenal are preparing a formal £34m offer for Nusa, according to Fussball News. The report states that the Gunners' interest in the winger is concrete and that they are leading the race for his signature. However, Leipzig are keen to retain the 21-year-old and will only consider selling him if they receive offers between £51m and £55m. No agreement has been reached and no official bid has been submitted yet. The source adds that Arsenal will face a stern battle, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, as well as European clubs including Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, AS Roma, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and SSC Napoli, all interested.

The numbers

Age: 21
2025-26 season: 3 goals and 2 assists
Goal contributions: 5 in 6 games across all competitions for Leipzig
Successful dribbles per game (Bundesliga): 3.16
Duels won per game: 6.84
Club Brugge appearances: 86
Champions League record: Youngest Norwegian to appear (17y 4m 27d) and second-youngest scorer in competition history after scoring against FC Porto in September 2022

Who is Antonio Nusa?

Nusa began his career at Norwegian outfit Stabæk Fotball before joining Club Brugge in 2021. He made 86 appearances for the Belgian club and helped them win the 2021-22 and 2023-24 Jupiler Pro League titles, plus the 2022-23 Belgian Super Cup. His standout moment came in September 2022 when he scored in Club Brugge's 4-0 win over FC Porto, becoming the youngest Norwegian to appear in the UEFA Champions League at 17 years, 4 months and 27 days, and the competition's second-youngest scorer.

He joined RB Leipzig in the summer of 2024 and has continued to progress rapidly. This season he has five goal contributions in six games across all competitions, including three goals and two assists. He also impressed for Norway at the recent FIFA World Cup, putting him on the radar of several top clubs.

Haaland's 'extraordinary' verdict

Nusa has been described as 'extraordinary' by Erling Haaland. That endorsement from one of the world's best strikers underlines the high regard in which the winger is held. While Haaland's comment is a single word, it carries weight in transfer circles and reinforces why so many clubs are monitoring Nusa's situation. For Arsenal, signing a player with that kind of peer recognition would be a statement of intent as they look to strengthen their attacking options.

Why Arsenal want Nusa and what he offers

Arsenal's interest in Nusa is concrete, according to Fussball News, and it is easy to see why. The Norwegian international is a dynamic winger whose dribbling is one of his biggest strengths. Statistically, he averages 3.16 successful dribbles per game in the Bundesliga this season, making him one of the most effective ball carriers in Germany. For a Mikel Arteta side that values width and one-on-one ability in the final third, Nusa would offer a direct, penetrative option on the flanks.

Beyond his attacking output, Nusa's defensive work rate stands out. He relentlessly presses and shows strong commitment towards winning the ball back, evidenced by his 6.84 duels won per game this season. That level of intensity fits the profile Arteta demands from his forwards, who are expected to contribute off the ball as well as on it. At 21, Nusa also fits Arsenal's recent recruitment strategy of investing in young, high-potential talent who can develop into first-team regulars.

However, Arsenal will need to act swiftly. Leipzig's £51-55m valuation is significantly higher than the £34m offer being prepared, and with Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Roma, AC Milan, Inter, Juventus and Napoli all reportedly interested, competition is fierce. The Gunners' advantage appears to be their concrete interest and readiness to submit a formal bid, but they will likely have to increase their offer substantially to tempt Leipzig into selling a player they are keen to keep.

Talking points

Should Arsenal pay £51-55m for a 21-year-old with five goal contributions this season, or is that too much for potential rather than proven output?
With Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa also circling, can Arsenal afford to haggle or will they be forced into an inflated bid?
Is Nusa's profile – a dribbling winger who presses – exactly what Arteta needs, or do Arsenal have more pressing positions to strengthen?
Does the presence of Bayern, Barcelona and Inter in the race mean Arsenal should walk away if the fee exceeds £55m?

What happens next

Arsenal are preparing to submit a formal £34m offer, but Leipzig will only consider offers between £51m and £55m. The Gunners must decide whether to increase their bid or risk losing Nusa to one of the many rival suitors. With the transfer window's dynamics and competition from across Europe, Arsenal's next move will be decisive in this race.

Frequently asked questions

Are Arsenal signing Antonio Nusa?

Arsenal are leading the race and preparing a formal £34m offer, but no deal has been agreed. Leipzig will only consider bids between £51m and £55m.

How much do RB Leipzig want for Antonio Nusa?

According to Fussball News, Leipzig will only sell if they receive offers between £51m and £55m.

Which other clubs are interested in Antonio Nusa?

Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, AS Roma, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and SSC Napoli are all reportedly interested.