Arsenal step up move to sign £68m star with 14 goals & 11 assists last season - report
Arsenal have had a fabulous transfer window with five signings thus far.
The Gunners started the summer with the acquisition of Kepa Arrizabalaga. The club have since confirmed the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has travelled to London for his medical tests. He is poised to become the club’s sixth arrival. An announcement could be made before the Newcastle United friendly.
The Independent now report that the Gunners are ready to ‘ramp up’ their pursuit of Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, having resolved the long transfer saga on Gyokeres.
The England international has a £68 million release clause in his contract, but Arsenal hope to negotiate a reduced deal worth £60m under terms that are also amenable to Crystal Palace.
The two boardrooms have a good relationship, and sources close to the player are confident a deal will be done in the next few weeks. Reiss Nelson could be included as part of any deal.
Eze would be a fabulous acquisition for Arsenal
The Gunners have bolstered their forward ranks with Madueke and Gyokeres. The latter should provide a massive upgrade upfront after his stellar 54-goal campaign with Sporting CP.
Madueke had a reasonably good season with 16 goal contributions at Chelsea. He is a specialist right winger and has barely made an impact from the left wing during his career.
We believe he could operate as a backup for Bukayo Saka and may make the rare start from the left.
Manager Mikel Arteta may want a marquee addition who can operate on the left flank. Eze could be the solution despite playing as an attacking midfielder for Palace last campaign.
Eze scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists for the FA Cup holders last term. He may be an attacking midfielder, but has a genuine bias for the left wing and prefers to cut inside regularly.
The former Reading man has also played on the left wing several times in his career. Arteta may see him as a potential upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard for next season.
Eze is known for his directness and ability to regularly dribble past opponents. He won over two take-ons per game last campaign. He does not shy away from attempting shots from long range either.
The 27-year-old would provide a different dimension to the Gunners’ attack from the left flank. Arsenal have been overly reliant on creating chances from the right wing through Saka.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
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