Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the final Nations League games, and five Arsenal players have been included.

There are recalls for Declan Rice and Ben White, while Eberechi Eze, Ezri Konsa and Myles Lewis-Skelly have all kept their places. Noni Madueke, however, was left out.

There is also a first senior call-up for Fulham’s Josh King, a player Arsenal have been monitoring, which might complicate their chances of signing him.

Josh King earns England call-up

King has been Fulham’s best player this season, and he’s been rightfully rewarded with a place in Tuchel’s squad for the games against Croatia and Spain.

The 19-year-old has started all nine Premier League games this season, scoring twice and providing one assist. He’s become Fulham’s first-choice No.10, keeping Emile Smith Rowe completely out of the team. The Hale End graduate has made just four substitute appearances, totalling 40 minutes, and has been left out of the matchday squad altogether in several games.

Tuchel pointed to King’s versatility as a big reason for his selection, with the teenager able to play across the front line, whether at No.10, on either wing or up front.

Arsenal face stiff competition for King’s signature, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all circling too.

Josh King just became much harder for Arsenal to sign

King was never going to be cheap. The teenager signed a new four-year contract in July last year, tying him to west London until June 2029. Football Insider reported that it would already take an offer of £50million or more to tempt Fulham into selling their prized asset.

An England call-up at 19 will only push that price higher. Fulham have no need to sell, and every big club in Europe will now be paying even closer attention.

That’s a shame for Arsenal, because he’d be a great fit. They need to rebuild their attack over the next few windows, and the No.10 role in particular. Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze are both in their late 20s, and it’s still unclear whether Ethan Nwaneri will truly kick on.

Nico Paz would probably be the ideal target, but King would be a great alternative, at the right price. After Friday, that price will only shoot up.