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Arsenal is certainly trying to bridge the gap to Liverpool with their transfer business this summer.
The Gunners ended last season eight points behind Liverpool.
Sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta entered the window determined to erase that margin with early, decisive business.
The North London side certainly made a statement signing in the form of Martin Zubimendi.
Real Sociedad’s former deep-lying orchestrator had flirted with Liverpool a year ago but finally chose the Emirates in a £60 million package that spreads payments over five seasons.
Viktor Gyökeres is thought to be close to a move to Arsenal, and the Swede would do a lot in giving Arsenal’s forward line some structure.
And another option in Eberechi Eze is on the radar of the Gunners this summer.
The Independent revealed that Arsenal have drawn up a three-stage offer of £20 million per year to meet Eze’s £60 million release clause plus bonuses. Arteta views him as the creative “Swiss-army knife” capable of operating either side of Bukayo Saka or behind the striker.
Yet the same report stresses Liverpool “may yet activate long-standing interest” in the Palace star man, with Migue Delaney noting that no club has actually lodged a formal bid with Crystal Palace.
Arteta cannot afford another season watching Liverpool pull away by February.
Hijacking Arsenal’s marquee attacking target would underline Liverpool’s pulling power while disrupting a direct rival.
Should Diaz depart, Eze could operate wide left or centrally, maintaining positional depth.
The Colombian winger has attracted plenty of attention from both Barcelona and Bayern Munich and could be a candidate for sale this summer.
Eze, 27, remains under contract at Crystal Palace until the summer of 2027, with a release clause set at approximately £60 million plus additional performance-related bonuses.
Arsenal is looking to structure their offer in three payments of £20 million each, aligning with Palace’s preferred terms for the deal.
Should Eze depart Selhurst Park this summer, it’s believed his first choice would be a move to Arsenal.
But if Liverpool show their hand and get involved, that could change.
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