Arsenal chiefs are now divided over a summer transfer target behind-the-scenes, with sporting director Andrea Berta weighing up their next signing after Viktor Gyokeres.
Talks held: Man City now in contact to hijack Arsenal's move for £68m star
The Blues have made an approach for a “sensational” forward, who has emerged as a major target for the Gunners.
1 ByDominic LundJul 30, 2025
The Sweden international made his debut for Arsenal in their north London derby clash against Tottenham in Hong Kong this afternoon, with supporters catching a first glimpse of their blockbuster new arrival on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia.
Gyokeres ended what was a two-month-long transfer saga by putting pen to paper on a £64 million deal to join Arsenal last weekend, including add-ons, and the number nine could end up standing out as a title-winning capture.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
25/26 – summer
£208m
His monumental 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting CP were key to the club winning back-to-back Primeira Liga titles, with both Ruben Amorim and Rui Borges benefitting from Gyokeres’ exceptional proficiency in the final third.
Now, it is Arteta’s turn, and Gyokeres stands to seriously benefit from feeding off the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
In an ideal world, the 27-year-old will also get service from another Arsenal attacking target – Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.
Eze was Palace’s standout creator last season, making his £20 million fee from QPR seem like peanuts, and reports suggest that he’s most likely to be Arsenal’s next major incoming after Gyokeres.
“The top target is Eberechi Eze. He’s considered the perfect player to add,” said Fabrizio Romano on Men in Blazers this week.
“They are in contact with his agents, they spoke to the player several times, the player’s camp several times — Eze is very tempted by this opportunity.”
Arsenal chiefs divided over signing Eberechi Eze
The England international has already told friends he expects to join Arsenal this summer, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who’s now shared an intriguing new update in an interview with TBR Football.
Bailey reports that, despite his quality, Arsenal chiefs are divided over signing Eze amid some confusion over his potential role in Arteta’s team.
“I am told that some inside the club are not sure about where he is going to play within the Arsenal system.
“It is believed that a number see him as a No.10 and if that is the case, do they need that? That is part of the discussion.
“Arsenal are still weighing up their options when it comes to Eze. They like the player a lot and think he would be an excellent signing, but nothing is guaranteed at this point.
“Arsenal are one who have held talks, but Palace were expecting others such as the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham to come – as of yet that hasn’t happened but it could. Although, as we know, Eze wants Arsenal, and has told friends that is where he expects to be playing come the end of the window.
“Palace are not going to help anyone get Eze, they want him to stay. If somebody wants him, it is going to be on their terms.”
Elsewhere, The Guardian reports that Palace want at least £35m of Eze’s potential £68m release clause paid up front, which would take Arsenal’s summer spending close to the £250 million mark.
Berta does have other options though, with Arsenal keen on Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss, who could leave for the value of his £22.5 million release clause.