Arsenal have reportedly reached a breakthrough in their pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with an agreement reached with the player.
Gyokeres has been a key target for the Gunners throughout the summer as they search for a much-needed striker. It is reported that Arsenal are now close to reaching a verbal agreement with the player over a five-year deal with Arsenal moving onto ‘advanced talks’ with Sporting over trying to agree a transfer fee.
The Portuguese club are expected to ask for a price somewhere around the £70million mark. Gyokeres has an £85million release clause in his contract.
If a deal can be reached with Sporting, and a move is completed, it would be a massive boost for Arsenal in the transfer window. With the priority of a new striker being sorted they could move onto strengthening other areas.
Arsenal confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on Tuesday, and are close to completing deals for midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
Assuming that those deals get done, it allows Arsenal to concentrate on another key area that they would like to strengthen - that is in the wing positions. The Gunners have been linked with several players in the position, but they should now prioritise a move for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
The England man was one of the standout players in the Premier League last season, scoring the winning goal for Palace in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
He is able to play anywhere along the front line, with his main position for Palace being in attacking midfield. His versatility will give a lot of options to Mikel Arteta in terms of his attacking lineup for the new season.
In his 146 Premier League appearances, Eze has scored 34 goals and provided a further 23 assists. Last season saw him scored 14 times and provide 11 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions, playing in both attacking midfield and on the left wing.
Eberechi Eze prior to the international friendly match between England and Senegal at City Ground.
Eberechi Eze has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal in the summer window. (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Eze has a £68million release clause in his contract with some reports suggesting that Arsenal are ready to trigger that. Although Eze will be more expensive than Nico Williams, the Athletic Club winger, who has a €58million (£49.9m) release clause, looks to be heading towards Barcelona.
Another player who has been linked is Rodrygo, but it has been reported that Real Madrid have put an asking price of €90million (£77.4m) on his head. Considering the price and that he is already proven in the Premier League, Arsenal should prioritise a move for Eze if it is a choice between the two.
If Eze continues his Crystal Palace form and brings it to the Emirates Stadium then it could be another big step to closing that gap to the top of the Premier League table.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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