According to The Athletic, Arsenal are making a move for Eberechi Eze in the wake of Kai Havertz’s knee injury.
On paper, the two aren’t exactly like-for-like, but with Viktor Gyökeres the only fit central striker, Mikel Arteta seems intent on adding someone who can bring a different dimension to the attack.
The Gunners have been linked with Eze earlier in the summer, though talk cooled once Ethan Nwaneri committed his future to the club with a new five-year deal. Now, with Sp*rs sniffing around the Crystal Palace man, whose £68 million release clause has elapsed, Arsenal look to have stepped things up again.
Eze grew up an Arsenal fan, was schooled at Hale End, and was let go at 13. You don’t have to strain too hard to imagine the headlines if he comes back to the Emirates and makes it big.
That said, the excitement over a potential signing shouldn’t mask the blow of losing Havertz. The German has been a key part of Arsenal’s attacking structure when fit, and the side struggled when he was out with hamstring surgery last season. Ligament damage has been mooted this time, and that’s not the sort of thing anyone wants to hear.
With almost £200 million already spent on six signings, moving for a seventh would be quite the statement of intent.
It would also crank up the pressure on sporting drector Andrea Berta to shift some of the current squad for decent fees before the window shuts.