Arsenal agree financial terms to sign £55m “magician”

A week on from the start of the new Premier League season and Arsenal finally look ready for the challenge ahead.

It had been a slow pre-season for the Gunners but a 3-0 win over Bilbao has calmed the nerves, particularly after Viktor Gyokeres opened his account in the red and white.

A series of matches both on foreign soil and at the Emirates Stadium had left supporters feeling frustrated at a lack of change, but they got change on Saturday where the forward line certainly looked more potent.

Kai Havertz even got on the scoresheet, presenting Mikel Arteta with a dilemma over who to pick at centre forward next weekend when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Before then, Arteta and Andrea Berta may hope to get another signing across the line.

Arsenal’s transfer plans before September 1st

With Noni Madueke and Gyokeres signed, Arsenal have ticked off two of their biggest priorities this summer: sign some backup and competition for Bukayo Saka, and sign a new striker.

However, there’s a lingering feeling that the Gunners need more in their forward line.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard went goalless through pre-season and question marks are being raised again about the quality of the options on the left-hand side of Arsenal’s attack.

As a result, Eberechi Eze’s name is once again doing the rounds and according to one report, a deal now looks closer than ever.

That’s according to Football Transfers who report this weekend that Eze is ‘closing in’ on a move to the Emirates.

Financial terms have already been agreed between Arsenal and Palace with Arteta’s side set to pay a total fee of £55m to Palace for the England star, with £30m set to come upfront. That’s lower than Eze’s reported £68m release clause.

Talks over the structure of the remainder of the instalments are ongoing but it’s not thought as though that will be a major sticking point.

Why Eze could be Arsenal’s new Emile Smith Rowe

Let’s cast our minds back to the early years of Arteta’s reign in London. The years are 2021 and 2022 and it’s safe to say that it’s not entirely rose for the Spaniard.

However, Saka and Smith Rowe (you know how the song goes) came along and acted as the club’s saviours.

The latter may have only scored four senior goals in 2020/21 but came alive in 2021/22, scoring ten times in 33 league outings for the club.

A product of Hale End, he was adored by Arsenal fans and his crafty, clever skills won hearts from all corners of the Emirates.

We all know how it ended for the England international with his injury woes ultimately seeing him join Fulham last summer, but he certainly has similar attributes to Eze.

Not only can both players feature from the left wing, but they’re also excellent attacking midfielders who are capable of scoring goals. In 2024/25, Eze netted 14 in all competitions, with eight goals coming from 34 Premier League appearances.

To really rubberstamp the similarities, we’ve compared how Eze performed last season with Smith Rowe’s best term at Arsenal.

As far as the numbers are concerned, there are some notable differences during their peak seasons so far in English football.

Smith Rowe looked like the more prolific goalscorer while Eze, who is a “magician” in the words of Micah Richards, was more creative.

Ultimately, though, they share the same sort of style. They like to carry possession, beat their marker and influence play from similar zones in the final third of the pitch.

Smith Rowe captivated Arsenal fans with his running style and ability to glide past players. Eze shares that trait and would no doubt become a quick fan favourite if he traded Selhurst Park for the Emirates.