Arsenal have endured somewhat of a successful summer window under Mikel Arteta during the off-season - but they're about to reach the next level with the pending arrival of Eberechi Eze.
It looked as though the Crystal Palace star would be heading to North London, but to join rivals Tottenham Hotspur, after talks advanced to complete a deal.
However, the Gunners took advantage of the slow-moving situation, stumping up a better off, resulting in the player preferring a move to the Emirates.
Eze, who’s a boyhood Arsenal fan, has been spotted at the club’s training ground to complete his medical, with just a formal announcement left to go until a deal is completed.
Despite spending around £67.5m on the 27-year-old’s signature, the hierarchy could be set to hand the manager added funds to complete other days in the closing stages of the summer window.
Arsenal Eze
Arsenal targeting more transfers after Eze deal
Antoine Semenyo has been a long-standing target for Arsenal, previously being on their radar this summer, but has once again appeared in conversations in North London.
Any deal would prove to be an expensive one, potentially being revisited in the near future, after the Ghanaian penned a new deal at Bournemouth until the summer of 2030.
However, he’s not the only attacking player currently in their sights, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo a serious target for the Gunners, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim that the 24-year-old’s agent is set for talks with Arteta’s side over a potential switch to the Premier League before the September 1st deadline.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo-1
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
It also states that either a permanent or temporary transfer could be explored, with the Brazilian not part of boss Xabi Alonso’s plans for the 2025/26 campaign.
Why Arsenal’s latest target would get Gyokeres firing
Earlier in the summer, huge excitement was generated at Arsenal, after the hierarchy finally landed a new number nine - in the form of Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
Arteta’s side forked out a staggering £64m for the 27-year-old’s signature, a deal which appeared to be an excellent piece of business given his tally of 97 goals in his 102 appearances for the Portuguese side.
However, his debut against Manchester United was satisfactory at best to say the least, but to be expected given his lack of experience featuring in England’s top-flight.
Arsenal Gyokeres debut
He only featured for an hour before being replaced, notching a tally of 22 touches, completing just four passes - whilst also winning 21% of the duels he entered at Old Trafford.
Gyokeres will undoubtedly need time to settle into life at the Emirates, but any process can certainly be sped up by completing a deal for Rodrygo in the coming days.
Whilst the Brazilian is out of favour in Madrid, it could prove to be an excellent signing for the Gunners - that’s if he can replicate his numbers from the 2024/25 campaign.
Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “world-class” by analyst Ben Mattinson, can operate off either flank, possessing a real top-level skillset that could see him provide endless opportunities for Gyokeres to thrive off.
Rodrygo's Real Madrid career (timeless)
In LaLiga last season, he ranked in the 94th percentile for passes completed (86%) whilst also achieving a total of 2.3 key passes per 90 - evidently able to thrive in possession when required.
Such figures would see him slot into Arteta’s current possession-based system, whilst also having the creative nouse to provide the Swede with a bucket load of chances in front of goal.
Rodrygo's stats for Real Madrid in LaLiga (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Progressive passes
Key passes made
Passes into the 18-yard box
Take-ons completed
Progressive carries
Carries into the final third
Stats via FBref
Along with his ability to pick out a teammate, Rodrygo also ranked in the 98th percentile for carries into the final third per 90 (4.1), able to manoeuvre past the opposition before picking out the killer pass.
Further talents are reflected in his 2.3 take-ons completed per 90 and 3.1 passes into the opposition box per 90 - further highlighting demonstrating the talent he holds in forward areas.
Regardless of whether a deal is a loan or permanent, it’s not often a player of his quality becomes available for transfer - with Arteta and Co needing to grab such an opportunity with both hands.
If he can transfer his skillset over to England with him, it would undoubtedly be one of the best moves made this window - especially if he can allow big-money signing Gyokeres to find the back of the net on a consistent basis.