Arsenal Land Gyökeres, Stumble Over Eze Payment Structure
Arsenal fans have barely caught their breath after the club officially announced Viktor Gyökeres as their new number 14. The Swedish striker arrives from Sporting CP in a high-profile move costing the Gunners €63.5 million up front, with an extra €10 million in add-ons baked into the deal. It's a hefty outlay, and the pressure will be on the 26-year-old to deliver wearing a shirt made famous by Thierry Henry.
But the transfer market never sleeps, and Arsenal’s work off the pitch is hardly done. The club’s front office is deep in talks with Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze—but things have hit a snag. While an initial €34.3 million fee has reportedly been agreed, Arsenal and Palace are deadlocked on how quickly the remainder—about €43.5 million—should be paid. Palace want the lot within two years, but Arsenal’s camp is getting jittery over both the price and how Eze would fit tactically into Mikel Arteta’s system.
Palace aren’t waiting around either. They’ve been sounding out other big six sides like Chelsea and Tottenham, possibly hoping to whip up a bidding war and squeeze more out of the Gunners—or push Arsenal to meet their terms. Eze’s talent is in no doubt after a strong season, but it looks like patience, and maybe a little brinksmanship, will be needed before any handshake gets inked.
Big Moves, Big Drama: Premier League Rivals Scramble for Reinforcements
Elsewhere, North London rivals Tottenham are licking their wounds after being jilted by Morgan Gibbs-White. Early signs pointed to Gibbs-White leaving Nottingham Forest for Spurs, but he’s turned around and signed a fresh contract with Forest instead. That’s a blow for a Spurs side hungry for midfield creativity and depth.
Not to be outdone, Liverpool are plotting a bold bid for Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker has made noises about leaving Newcastle this summer, which has plenty of clubs on alert. Liverpool, needing punch up front as they look to mount another title challenge, see Isak as a key target. While nothing is official yet, sources suggest the Reds are willing to put real money on the table for a proven Premier League goalscorer.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are shopping abroad, honing in on two emerging Dutch stars: Xavi Simons, currently impressing at RB Leipzig, and Jorrel Hato, the highly rated defender at Ajax. Both players have been linked with moves away, and Chelsea are trying to fast-track deals before their value shoots up even further.
It’s a busy window down the phone lines. Manchester United are sniffing around Joao Palhinha, eyeing him as a midfield anchor. Tottenham, undeterred by recent setbacks, have their sights set on strikers Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins, keen to strengthen their attack before the season reboots.
By the looks of it, Premier League clubs aren’t just dipping their toes into the market this summer—they’re diving in headfirst, with Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres signing leading the way in a transfer window already full of twists, turns, and plenty of big-money gambles.