The loss to Tottenham Hotspur last week might have taken the shine off somewhat, but this summer has still been a brilliant one for Arsenal so far.
Mikel Arteta’s side have looked great in their other pre-season games, and Andrea Berta has been very busy in the transfer market.
The Italian has already made six first-team additions, with Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi undoubtedly being the most exciting of the lot.
Yet, it appears as if the Gunners aren’t done there, as they continue to be linked with Eberechi Eze, and with reports claiming that they’re now in talks to sell a peripheral player, they may soon have the money needed to sign the Englishman.
Why Arsenal want to sign Eze
Arsenal have been linked with Eze for a long time now, with some reports touting the 27-year-old for a move to the Emirates last summer.
However, it would be fair to say that the links have become far more concrete this summer.
In fact, some from last month claimed that talks with the player have gone well, and that the North Londoners are just waiting for the Crystal Palace star’s £68m release clause to expire later this month, so they have more wriggle room in negotiations.
Whatever the final price for the Eagles ace ends up being, it’s easy to see why Arteta and Co are so keen to sign him.
For example, despite playing for a mid-table side at best last season, the “superstar” attacker, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, racked up a tally of 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances, totalling 3303 minutes.
Appearances
43
Minutes
3303′
Goals
14
Assists
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.58
Minutes per Goal Involvement
132.12′
In other words, the former QPR ace averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes across the campaign.
On top of that, the Greenwich-born maestro played a pivotal role in Palace’s FA Cup triumph, scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final.
In all, Eze looks like he’d be a sensational signing for Arsenal, and it appears as if the club are making room for his arrival.
The Arsenal star who could be sold for Eze
While the focus of this summer for Arsenal has been the incomings, there are still several players around the first team who have been linked with possible exits.
Transfer Focus
For example, Gabriel Jesus was supposedly of interest to Brazilian side Flamengo last week, while Leandro Trossard has been linked to Borussia Dortmund on multiple occasions, and even Jakub Kiwior has been turning heads at Porto.
However, as things stand, the player who looks most likely to leave this summer is Fabio Vieira, who first moved to the Emirates three years ago for around £34m.
At least that’s according to a recent report from Sebastien Vidal, who claims that German outfit VfB Stuttgart are now interested in the Portuguese midfielder and have been in talks with Arsenal over a permanent transfer.
The 25-year-old would undoubtedly leave for a loss, but even then, it is probably time Arteta and Co cut their losses, as there is no indication he’ll ever develop into the player they hoped he’d become.
After all, he was only able to amass a tally of 13 goal involvements in 49 appearances across the two seasons he’s spent with the club, and then even last season, when he was on loan with Porto, he didn’t look much more than okay.
For example, the “exceptional” midfielder, as talent scout Jacek Kulig once dubbed him, produced 11 goal involvements in 42 games, but eight of those came in just 26 league appearances.
Appearances
39
33
16
42
Goals
7
2
1
5
Assists
16
6
3
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.58
0.24
0.25
0.26
Ultimately, Vieira clearly has some talent, but it’s equally clear that he’s not good enough to play for Arsenal, and if his departure can make room for Eze, then the club should thank him for his efforts and send him on his way.
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