Arsenal are currently working to try and bridge the gap over Liverpool.
The Gunners put up a fairly weak challenge in the Premier League title race last season, ultimately finishing ten points behind Liverpool as 14 draws in 38 outings cost Arsenal dearly.
Arsenal are close to signing Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke to aid their bid for the title next term, having already recruited Martin Zubimendi in a £55.8m move from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal also want Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, but a new move from Liverpool could now cause problems for Andrea Berta – Director of Football at the Emirates Stadium.
Foot Mercato now state that Liverpool have met with the representatives of Jean-Philippe Mateta in recent days, as the Reds aim to bolster their attacking depth.
The French news outlet believe the Crystal Palace No.14 could cost as much as €60m (£52m) this summer.
Arsenal have been hoping to sign Eze for below his £68m release clause, but should Liverpool add £52m to the bank account at Crystal Palace, the south Londoners would then have less need for cash, and would be more likely to stand firm on that £68m fee.
Once deals for Madueke, Gyokeres and also Cristhian Mosquera are done – which are expected to cost £52m, £63m and £17.3m respectively – money will presumably be tight for Arsenal, having already spent £55.8m on Zubimendi, £15m on Christian Norgaard and £5m on Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Therefore, not being able to negotiate Crystal Palace down from the £68m fee for Eze could well prove to be a major stumbling block for Berta in negotiations.
Arsenal could avert this potential problem by speeding up their pursuit of the England international.
The Guardian claimed that Arsenal are ready to open negotiations with Crystal Palace for Eze, but deals for Madueke, Gyokeres and Mosquera seem to be the current priority, which could allow Liverpool to influence proceedings by making progress with a bid for Mateta first.
There is quite clearly a lot happening at the Emirates Stadium right now, but Liverpool’s meeting over the Crystal Palace frontman should definitely give Berta something to think about.
