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Arteta wants another attacker | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal are said to be interested in an Eberechi Eze alternative as they begin shopping elsewhere.
Arsenal are now said to be monitoring an Eberechi Eze alternative as they face the possibility of missing out on the England international. The Gunners have been very busy this summer, spending well over £200million in a bid to take the final step from being contenders to title winners.
Mikel Arteta will be under pressure to deliver a title this season, with the club having backed him significantly. Despite all the recruitment, Arsenal are still said to be keen on adding another attacker, and one that can play out wide as well as in the number 10 spot, with Arteta wanting better back-up for Martin Odegaard.
When Odegaard was injured early last season, Arsenal failed to properly replace him, with Leandro Trossard struggling in that spot, though Mikel Merino could potentially do well there after playing further forward last season.
Crystal Palace star Eze has been heavily linked with Arsenal, but it’s believed the Eagles will ask for around £60million to sell, and they do not have to budge now that there is no release clause in play.
Arsenal would have to sell a number of players to be able to spent that kind of money on the back of their spending spree this summer, and it would be a potentially risky investment based on what it would allow - or not allow - the Gunners to do in the coming seasons.
Tottenham now look more likely to make a serious move for Eze, with James Maddison having been ruled out for much of the season, and Arsenal may have to look elsewhere for a budget option.
According to Caughtoffside, Arsenal are already eyeing up potential alternatives, and PSG star Lee Kang-in is said to be one of those players. They say Arsenal and many other clubs are monitoring the situation in case the versatile forward decides he wants to leave for more regular football.
PSG boss Luis Enrique has previously said: “He’s a very versatile player, and what’s crucial for us is that he rarely loses possession. He played as a 'false 9', but with the freedom to roam, and he was exceptional. He scored a clever striker's goal, kept our momentum, and gave us the ball when we needed it.”
Reports from France
Kang-in appears to be facing a decision over his future given he is not usually a first-choice starter, but reports from L’Equipe have claimed that PSG do not want to sell, although they acknowledged the rumours doing the rounds. A report this week read: “Gonzalo Hamus and Lee Kang-in are expected to stay at PSG. PSG is not currently considering Lee Kang-in's transfer."
“After the transfer market opened, Luis Campos, the Director General of PSG, assured Lee Kang-in that he is always part of the club's plans and that a transfer is not an option. However, according to transfer market sources, PSG's stance could change slightly if a satisfactory offer comes in. Naturally, Lee Kang-in wants to secure more playing time. Having shown a good start in Wednesday's match, he is likely to gain more playing time at least during this August." Previous reports have suggested that the asking price will be between £25.8million and £21.5million.
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