Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta faces £68m deal deadline as Gunners boss takes new role

Mikel Arteta has strengthened his Arsenal squad over the summer but last season’s Premier League runners-up could have a bit more business to come between now and September 1

Arsenal have been one of the busiest Premier League teams this summer but their spending might not be over just yet. The Gunners have an A to Z of new signings – Arrizabalaga to Zubimendi, to be precise – but there will still be two weeks of the window to go after they begin their Premier League campaign against Manchester United on Sunday.

The goal is to sign a player capable ot creating from deep and playing off the left of the front three in certain circumstances. More specifically, the goal is Ebere Eze, but things might not be straightforward.

Manager Mikel Arteta indicated the spending isn’t over if the right opportunity arrives. However, in order to meet Crystal Palace’s asking price for Eze, they might need to raise funds through sales.

Nuno Tavares and Marquinhos have both left, while Thomas Partey’s release has freed up significant wage budget. Fabio Vieira, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior could yet follow.

There are two deadlines in place for Arsenal, though – not just September 1, when the window shuts. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from North London.

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Eze release clause deadline

Arsenal only have until Friday to meet Ebere Eze’s release clause at Crystal Palace. A bid of £68m would be enough to land the England star now, though Palace may yet accept a similar amount after the deadline.

Moves for Fabio Vieira and Leandro Trossard are the most realistic sources of the funds for a move. Stuttgart want Vieira, with a fee of around £16m mooted, while Trossard has previously attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Funds could also be raised from other sources, with interest in Jakub Kiwior, Karl Hein and Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Gunners are also open to offloading Reiss Nelson, though no club has met their asking price.

Arteta takes off-field role

Mikel Arteta will be back in the dugout on Sunday as Arsenal kick off their league campaign. Before that, though, the Spaniard has been confirmed as brand ambassador and director of performance with sports brand Under Armour.

“The collaboration with Under Armour is the perfect opportunity for me to work with a partner committed to making young athletes better,” Arteta said in a statement. “I’m passionate about providing a platform for the next generation of players coming through in football and the top level of talent already signed with the brand demonstrates that Under Armour is too.

“We share the same mentality in always striving for more by finding new ways to innovate and disrupt the game at the top level. Our values in pursuing greatness are closely aligned and together, I’m confident we’re going to achieve great things in football.”

Eze told to turn down Arsenal

Ebere Eze is understood to favour a move to Arsenal over joining rivals Spurs. However, former Gunners star Theo Walcott isn’t convinced the move would be the right one for him.

“I think the big question or the big thing we’ve got to look at is that it is World Cup year,” Walcott said on It’s Called Soccer. “As a player, if it’s a World Cup year, I’m thinking, ‘I’m going to play consistently for Palace this year, so if I’m Eze, for instance, my thought process: obviously Arsenal is a different kind of pressure.”

He suggested Eze would have different responsibilities if he moves, adding: “The good thing thing about Eze’s situation is that he can play every week and he has that maverick style that he accepts making and taking those risks. I think he’s a player that can take those risks at Palace. I don’t think he will get that at Arsenal.”

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