Arsenal have made Eberechi Eze their main target with the Premier League season less than three weeks away as Crystal Palace hope to retain their leading light
Arsenal’s summer business is far from done with Mikel Arteta still wanting to add more firepower to his side ahead of their latest crack at the Premier League.
The Gunners boss has finally got the striker he was looking to for with Viktor Gyokeres recently arriving at the Emirates. He joins more than £100million worth of talent in Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke as the north Londoners continue to bolster their ranks.
Arteta was keen on Nico Williams earlier in the summer and Rodrygo was also heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, but both those moves now look unlikely. Arsenal’s major target has now emerged to be Eberechi Eze, whose stock continued to rise with Crystal Palace.
He was instrumental in them winning the FA Cup but is thought to be keen on making a move to north London. The Eagles though would be loathed to lose another leading light. Here’s the latest from the Emirates.
Palace plea made
Oliver Glasner has pleaded with the Palace board not to sell any of their star players such as Eze, warning that it could derail their season. The 27-year-old is wanted by Arsenal, who’ve made him their priority as we approach the final month of the summer.
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Marc Guehi is also being linked with a move to Liverpool after the Palace captain entered the final 12 months of his contract. Eze, meanwhile, is tied down until 2027 but has a £68m release clause. Arsenal, who’ve spent £194m so far, are hoping to do a deal for less than that, reportedly around £60m but one which has incentives for Palace.
Liverpool win race for teen
Arsenal are set to miss out on Salford City’s teenage star Will Wright, who instead looks poised to head to Liverpool. The Reds have agreed a deal worth £200,000 with the League Two side for the 17-year-old striker, who scored more than 50 goals across age groups last season.
Wright underwent a medical on Tuesday and a deal to take him to Anfield is now in its final stages. The Gunners were previously favourites to sign the young star, but appear to have missed out with those in the north west winning out.
Liverpool’s head of academy recruitment Chris Dowling is understood to have played a major role in Wright’s decision. He opted for a move to Liverpool and was sold on their long-term development plan, while geographical reasons were also a factor.
Xhaka’s reasons for returning
Granit Xhaka felt the opportunity to establish Sunderland in the Premier League made returning to England too good an opportunity to turn down following his move from Bayer Leverkusen. The former Arsenal star left the English top-flight two years ago for the Bundesliga and claimed the German title at the first attempt, but has now chosen to return.
The Swiss midfielder said: “When I spoke to the Club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have. It’s exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this Club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history.”
“I feel that I’m ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well. We need to find ourselves on the pitch, but I don’t think this will be a big problem. It’s been a long time to wait, but I’m here now and I’m looking forward to it.”
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