chiefs are still working to back manager Mikel Arteta with just weeks remaining of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners also have just over a fortnight remaining before their opening game of the new Premier League season, with Arteta’s side set to face off against Man United at Old Trafford.
In an ideal world, sporting director Andrea Berta would have concluded the majority of Arsenal’s transfer business by that point, but regardless, the Italian has still made a sensational start to life in his new role at the Emirates Stadium.
Berta has splashed north of £200 million on deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and headline-dominating number nine, Viktor Gyokeres, in that order, and these moves could be key to Arsenal ending their two-decade-long wait for a league title.
Gyokeres made his first ever cameo in red and white during a pre-season friendly defeat to Tottenham earlier this week, with Arteta praising the energy he brought alongside fellow new arrival Mosquera.
“I’m really happy to have them here,” said Arteta in a post-match press conference.
“I think they are going to add a lot of value. You see straight away the energy and the quality they are going to bring. It was a short one, but at least that one is over now and when they play against Villareal now, I’m sure it will be different.”
Despite their priority to sell players right now, Arsenal are still pursuing Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.
The 27-year-old is regarded as a different-style number 10 to that of club captain Martin Odegaard, and one who can provide a more direct threat in terms of goals compared to the Norwegian (Sky Sports).
Eze can also fill in on either wing, with his versatility and proven record in the final third (14 goals and 11 assists last season) coming as other major attractions for Arteta’s side.
Reliable reports now claim that Eze’s £60 million release clause, which could rise to £68 million with bonuses, actually expires tonight at 11:59pm – giving Berta and co mere hours to activate it.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal take the plunge, or opt to negotiate with Palace after the deadline, but Football Transfers claim that some progress has been made on a deal for the England international.
The outlet states that Arsenal have reached an agreement over the first down payment for Eze, which they state will be around £30 million, with the north Londoners expected to eventually pay a total of £68m – which is a similar fee to his clause.
FT believe that the main issue holding up Eze’s switch is Palace’s search for a replacement, with Oliver Glasner’s side looking to secure a suitable heir before they green-light the former QPR star’s exit.
Arteta, meanwhile, is believed to be “prioritising” Eze deal and thinks his signing is nearly as important as their deal for Gyokeres.
According to Sky Switzerland’s Sacha Tavolieri, Palace are eyeing Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss as one option, but it hasn’t stretched beyond interest just yet.
