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Berta may have to pivot | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal may have to pivot as they look to complete their summer transfer spending.
Arsenal are now said to be considering an alternative to Eberechi Eze as they look to add one more creative piece to their attack. It has been a very busy summer for Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta, who have wrapped up signings aplenty in what has already been another summer of big spending.
The Gunners have splashed out more than £200million, and they still may not be done as they now look to offload some of the players who are unlikely to see much football during the coming campaign.
The likes of Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Oleksandr Zinchenko are likely to leave the club, and Arsenal simply must balance their spending to some degree, especially if they are going to add another player between now and the end of the summer transfer window
Crystal Palace star Eze has been heavily linked, but there could be a gap between Arsenal’s valuation and that of the Eagles. Eze had a £68million release clause that has now lapsed, and it’s claimed the Gunners now believe they can strike a deal for around £55million.
Palace might have other ideas, especially given the difficulty they have had strengthening this season. The Eagles are entering a European campaign, and Oliver Glasner has been vocal about the fact the club has not shown aggression in the transfer window - a risky approach given the uncertainty surrounding Eze and Marc Guehi.
None of that helps Arsenal, especially not if they want a discounted deal, and the North London side could be forced to look elsewhere. According to Football Insider, the main alternative is Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, who is pushing for a move away from the Serie A club this summer.
In fact, Lookman has even formally requested a transfer at this stage amid interest from around Europe. Inter Milan have submitted a bid worth just under £40million, with Atalanta reportedly demanding around £43.5million, though they may ask for more to sell within the same division.
Lookman praise
Lookman is a different player to Eze, usually operating further forward, though he is a versatile player who can play across the front line.
Atalanta starlet Oleksandr Dragan said in March: “There are three people — de Ketelaere, Lookman, and Retegui. That’s top level! Lookman. As a person, he is very pleasant, friendly, cheerful, always with a smile on his face. Ademola radiates kindness.”
Now former Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has said of Lookman previously: “He’s [Lookman] a top player. In terms of character, there are perhaps players who have more continuity and are more solid, but that’s normal.
“Even his role is difficult. He always has to be very fit, but he has become a truly extraordinary player, among the best in Europe and the world. Because he has improved his consistency and in some ways he has started to be an important Atalanta player”.
A return to the Premier League could now be on the cards for Lookman, and Atalanta would surely prefer to sell him to a team outside of Serie A this summer.
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