Arsenal 'monitoring' Eberechi Eze alternative as Gunners attacker 'rejects' new contract

Arsenal are now preparing for their pre-season friendly clash with Tottenham in Hong Kong on Thursday night. The Gunners have already played friendlies against AC Milan and Newcastle United, and it will be interesting to see how they perform against a Spurs side currently in a state of transition under new boss Thomas Frank.

In the meantime, Andrea Berta is still wheeling and dealing having already had a very busy summer of recruitment. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Simons claim

Arsenal are said to be keeping an eye on RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons as an alternative to Eberechi Eze. Chelsea are said to be advancing on a deal, but the Gunners are said to be keeping an eye in case it falls though.

Ben Jacobs has reported: “Chelsea advancing talks with Xavi Simons. Terms now broadly in place. Club-to-club talks ongoing. Chelsea expected to place a first formal offer soon after verbal discussions over numbers. Talks described as positive. Arsenal and Bayern monitoring situation but no bids yet.” Eze is likely to be Arsenal’s main target for the attacking midfield position.

Trossard rejects deal

Arsenal star Leandro Trossard has reportedly rejected a new contract at the Emirates Stadium. The Athletic report that Trossard has been offered a new deal after playing in every Premier League game for the Gunners last season.

The report claims Trossard’s new agents are currently rejecting advances over a new deal to make sure the Belgian can consider any incoming offers he may receive. Trossard likely sees the writing on the wall as far as his playing time is concerned, with Arsenal having strengthened out wide significantly already, while they are looking to sign an attacking midfielder. That recruitment will likely see Trossard slip down the pecking order significantly.

Silva on Gyokeres

Fulham boss Marco Silva says he previously tried to sign new Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres. He told O Jogo: “This story that no one had noticed Gyökeres [before Sporting] and things like that is all talk. The top clubs in England didn’t notice. It’s not easy for a player to go from Coventry to the top clubs in England. And, at that time, he wasn’t a player ready for that leap.

“Now, the mid-table clubs in England had all noticed. So much so that there were some offers. I even spoke with Gyökeres’ agent, but we also had a world-class striker, Mitrović, who was very difficult to replace. Naturally, we noticed him; he was a player who clearly had tremendous physical strength and some good finishing ability; he improved that a lot. The way Coventry played at the time, with space, he was a player who made a difference. And, when he played against Fulham, we usually had 60 or 70% possession and that was the ideal game for him.

“I think he’ll fit into a phase of play that Arsenal also has. Perhaps, of all the teams competing for the title, they have the most solid defensive form. When they don’t have the ball, if it’s a little lower, it’s not a big concern,” Silva explained. And then they’ll have plenty of space to exploit. They have very strong midfielders and wingers, so he’ll fit in very well. In a positional attack, when Arsenal is clearly in their highest space. He’ll have an impact; whether he’ll have the same impact as Portugal, we’ll have to see how he adapts.”

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