Arsenal 'agree initial fee' for next transfer as rivals eye striker deal

Arsenal are still steamrolling through the summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta being handed new weapons aplenty ahead of the new season. The Gunners have already been very busy this summer, and there is still talk of more new signings arriving.

Exits are also likely as Arteta looks to balance both his squad numbers and the club’s spending. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Eze claim

Arsenal are believed to be interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze this summer as they continue to make statements in the summer transfer window. Fabrizio Romano claimed on Sunday that the Gunners were yet to make contact with Palace directly over a deal.

But according to Football Transfers. Arsenal have already agreed an initial fee to land Eze. Palace are said to be demanding around £60million for Eze’s signature, which is a little below his £68million release clause. The Gunners will surely have to make a significant sale if they spend another £60million after the £55million or so arrival of Viktor Gyokeres and their other spending this summer.

Fresh Jesus exit claim

Tottenham are one of the clubs being linked with a surprise move for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, who has been heavily linked with an exit in recent days. Jesus is out until at least the autumn with a serious knee injury, and he is likely to struggle for game time when he returns.

Jesus will be behind Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, so it seems likely he will be moved on at some point, though a deal may be tricky to complete given his injury situation. Still, CaughtOffside say a number of clubs are monitoring Jesus and considering a possible deal, with Tottenham reportedly one of them.

Gyokeres confirmed

Arsenal announced the signing of Viktor Gyokeres in Singapore, and speaking to the club website after his move was made official, the striker said: “I always want to score. To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can't wait. It will be an amazing feeling.

“I started here [in England], it feels like a long time ago. I think I've improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team. It's a big honour to play for your country, and then to score goals for them is amazing. When I played at Sporting, I scored a few goals in the Champions League so I feel that I can be on that level as well. Now to come here to a club on Arsenal's level, I think it's going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I'm really excited to get going.”

He added: “I just felt that it was the right club for me. What I heard from Mikel and Andrea when I was speaking with them, and just what I've seen in the past years, how they've been playing football. When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against.

“That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase. It's been amazing to see all the support that they have already given me before I even arrived. That's what it's all about. It's going to be very nice to see them in the stadiums as well.”

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