Arsenal’s transfer window is beginning to hot up, with incomings and outgoings becoming more frequent at the Emirates Stadium under Mikel Arteta in recent days – and alongside a potential move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, one £80million-rated star could come into their ranks to form a lethal partnership with the England international.
Martin Zubimendi is shortly set to sign from Real Sociedad, with the Spaniard having agreed personal terms with the Gunners months ago – with the only delay over a move being that the La Liga outfit wanted a deal to go through in July for accounting purposes. He could be joined by Brentford captain Christian Norgaard, who the club have agreed a fee of around £10million for – and Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has also joined as backup for David Raya.
However, whilst Zubimendi is the only one of those who is a ‘marquee’ signing, the Gunners could be about to get another one over the line in Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres, who they agreed a ‘five-year deal’ with on Tuesday evening, according to reports.
The Gunners have been in the market for a new striker for some time, having seen Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both pick up injuries in the winter period – and even before then, they were after an out-and-out talisman to join their ranks with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko being linked.
But news from Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri stated that the Gunners are now in ‘advanced talks’ with the Primeira Liga champions in order to close a deal for Gyokeres, with the club feeling as though they are ‘touching the final line’ on a deal for his services. Agreeing a five-year deal, and moving away from Sesko as a target, that is a deal that could be done soon, making it the perfect acquisition for Arteta.
Should a deal for the in-demand striker get over the line, it could see Arsenal then line up a move for Eze to give Martin Odegaard a run for his money in the No.10 slot, as well as further central positions with Declan Rice holding the fort – and even on the left-hand side, where Gabriel Martinelli’s future isn’t safe.
Eze has been an assist king at Palace with objectively worse players, landing eight last season in the Premier League, a season best. That has followed 15 previous assists in the competition, and with more clinical players surrounding him such as Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka, Odegaard and, of course, their centre-backs from corners – that tally should increase.
Imagining the dribble-happy star alongside Gyokeres could be enough to get Arsenal fans ready and pumped for their potential Premier League title push.
Continuously having the best defence in the league over the past two seasons, it’s their ability to take the edge in tight games that has stifled them somewhat in the title race – drawing at home to Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa before the title slipped away, as well as dropping points away at Fulham, Chelsea, Brighton and Nottingham Forest before Liverpool had all but won the title.
Eze’s creativity and ability to turn the game on its head in one moment would be huge for Arteta, as well as filling the homegrown quota – and his playmaking alongside Gyokeres’ knack for goals could finally win the club some silverware. Eze has proven that he can do that, with goals in the final three rounds of the FA Cup securing silverware for Palace.
