Managing Arsenal - Eberechi Eze transfer, six exits, Gabriel Jesus decision

Arsenal are closing in on one of their main targets this window as Mikel Arteta continues to build his squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

football.london understand that an announcement to confirm Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is expected soon , after the player has undergone a medical with the club. The deal will see the Gunners pay a fee of £63.8 million to the Portuguese club.

When the deal is complete, he will become Arsenal’s sixth new signing of the summer transfer window. The club have already completed the captures of Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Arsenal will hope that the transfer business will play a part in the club closing the gap to the top of the Premier League table in the upcoming fight for the title.

The next few weeks of the transfer window could also have a big say. With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at what we would do over the next few weeks if we were in Arteta’s shoes.

Eberechi Eze move

The signing of Viktor Gyokeres would be a big piece in the attacking puzzle for Arsenal, but their next signing could potentially complete the puzzle. The Gunners have been linked with an interest in Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, it’s a transfer that could be a big one for the club.

Eze has ben a standout player for Palace since making the move from QPR in the summer of 2020. Last season saw him score the crucial winner for the Eagles in the FA Cup final and establish himself as a firm part of the England squad.

If a deal for Gyokeres goes through as expected, then the emphasis will be on providing him with good chances. Arsenal already have the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard to do that, but signing Eze would be another spark of creativity that could just make the difference in the title race.

The forward has a reported £68 million release clause. Arsenal are reported to want to pay a slightly lower price in installments.

Gabriel Jesus decision

The signing of Gyokeres could also potentially raise questions over Arsenal’s other strikers in the remainder of the window. Gabriel Jesus currently remains sidelined after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) back in January.

With the arrival of Gyokeres and Kai Havertz now back from injury, he could find his game time next season limited. It could leave Arsenal with a decision to make over his future.

Some reports in Brazil claim that Flamengo are showing an interest in the forward. It’s claimed that Arsenal are looking for a fee of around €30 million (£26m) if they are to sell this summer.

If a bid in that region comes in then Arsenal will have to decide whether to cash in, or keep the striker as a back-up to avoid a similar situation to last season, where there were no fit strikers available to the team in the final months.

Six exits

Speaking of exits, with Arsenal working hard on incomings, attention could soon turn to potential outgoings. On a look through the squad, six names stand out as players who could leave the club before the September 1 deadline.

Goalkeeper Karl Hein could leave on either a loan or permanent deal after returning from a loan spell with Real Valladolid. The arrival of Cristhian Mosquera could potentially open the door for fellow centre-back Jakub Kiwior to leave.

Three other returning loanees in Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson could also move on this summer. The latter has been linked with a return to Fulham where his loan deal was impacted by injury.

Another player who has been linked with a move away is Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian has been linked with a move to AC Milan, but did feature for Arsenal in the pre-season friendly against the Italian side last weekend.

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