What Eberechi Eze did vs Liverpool speaks volumes for Arsenal transfer as surprise bid rejected

Just three weeks remain of the summer transfer window and Arsenal still have plenty of work to do. Sporting director Andrea Berta has sanctioned six new signings, with roughly £200 million spent to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres.

Despite that, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has hinted that further incomings could still arrive with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze the most likely addition. The England international started his new campaign on Sunday with the Eagles beating Liverpool to win the Community Shield.

To even have a chance of signing Eze, a number of departures will need to happen with Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior all players who could exit. However, Arteta may well want to keep the latter with an approach rejected earlier this month.

With all of that being said, football.london has provided a fresh perspective on the latest Arsenal transfer news and topics…

Eze decision speak volumes

Despite arguably being Palace’s talisman, Eze endured a relatively quite afternoon in comparison to Ismalia Sarr and Jean-Phillipe Mateta with both of those attackers on target against Liverpool.

Even though Eze scored the Eagles’ most recent penalty, Mateta stepped up from 12 yards in the first half with the former’s effort being saved in the penalty shootout perhaps indicating why that happened. Prior to that, Eze was handed the captain’s armband following Marc Guehi’s substitution.

With the 25-year-old being eyed by Liverpool, Eze would likely become his side’s new skipper and that may be a deciding factor in his future amid links to Arsenal.

football.london says: The chances of Eze being a Gunners player come Monday, August 1 continue to lessen. With his release clause expiring and the new season underway for Palace, Oliver Glasner will likely be very reluctant to let him go at any price.

The emergence of Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri signing a new contract also appear to have played into Arsenal’s thinking. Two permanent departures could change that stance but with nothing imminent, it looks much more likely that he will stay at Selhurst Park.

Despite their lack of transfer activity, a second trophy in just a few months has shown that Palace have serious ambition ahead of their upcoming participation in a European competition.

Kiwior bid rejected

According to the Mirror, Porto saw a £23.4 million offer for Kiwior rejected earlier this month with it not entertained by Arsenal.

Their report added that the deal was an initial loan with obligation-to-buy and that the central defender is also admired by Italian sides.

football.london says: Arsenal are facing quite the dilemma with Kiwior given the abundance of defensive options available to Arteta.

His positive displays at the end of last season may have resulted in Arsenal re-thinking their permanent exit stance. Signing Mosquera may suggest that nothing has changed though and the offer from Portugal just did not meet their demands, but a bid exceeding £30m would likely be considered.

A long-term admiration from numerous Serie A clubs could result in that valuation being met, but considering the injury issues of last season, it would not be a bad idea to keep him.