Arsenal appear to be closing in on securing the services of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace and have also lodged a notable £45m bid for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman. The Gunners, who have already splashed out on six new signings during this transfer window, are determined to bolster their squad further in pursuit of the Premier League title following three tantalising seasons as runners-up.
The North London side have already welcomed the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, and Viktor Gyokeres. However, whispers from within the Emirates suggest manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are yet not content, with a left-sided attacker and a creative playmaker still prominent on their shopping list.
It’s understood from insider sources that Arsenal have ‘agreed’ financial terms with Crystal Palace for Eze, with a sum of £55 million mooted, although Palace’s hesitation to sell before securing a replacement remains a stumbling block. The outgoing Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman’s unresolved replacement further complicates the transfer’s momentum.
Simultaneously, reports from Fichajes claim Arsenal have put forward a substantial offer for Lookman, with the former Everton man expressing a desire to leave Atalanta amid interest from Italian giants Inter Milan and Napoli, alongside Spain’s Atletico Madrid.
Despite these ambitions, Arsenal face the challenge of streamlining their squad. The likes of Fabio Vieira, Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson, and potentially Oleksandr Zinchenko might be heading for the exit to pave the way for new faces, as previously suggested by journalist Charles Watts.
Former player Mikael Silvestre, however, has advised caution for Eze regarding his potential move, highlighting the intense competition within the Arsenal ranks that could see the young talent warming the bench more often than not. He praised Eze’s abilities but hinted that the player’s current joy and freedom at Crystal Palace might be stifled by a switch to a top-four club where playing time is fiercely contested.
Arsenal’s strategy appears to be a mix of bolstering immediate squad depth with an eye on potential outgoings to maintain balance, as the transfer window remains very much open for fresh opportunities and adjustments.
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