BID ACCEPTED: Arsenal’s £98million bid for Europe’s most valued attacker has been accepted as the player arrives in London to complete his medical today- Announcement will be made on Monday
While yesterday’s loss to Tottenham Hotspur has somewhat taken the shine off things, there’s no doubt that, so far, this summer has been a positive one for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side have beaten the likes of AC Milan and Newcastle United on the pitch, and the club have been busy with transfers off of it.
So far, Andrea Berta and Co have welcomed in six first-team additions, with Viktor Gyokeres undoubtedly the pick of the bunch following his unreal tally of 54 goals and 13 assists in 52 games last season.
Yet, the North Londoners don’t seem to be done there, as they’ve been linked with a host of other players, including Xavi Simons, although it now looks like they could go for someone who’d be a far better signing.
Arsenal target big Simons upgrade
It was only a few weeks ago, if that, when Arsenal were being quite heavily linked with RB Leipzig’s exciting Simons.
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However, since then, it has looked increasingly likely that, should the Flying Dutchman come to the Premier League this summer, he’ll be doing so to join Chelsea.
The West Londers have reportedly agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old, and that an offer could be made at any moment for the player valued at around £61m.
Now, some fans might be understandably upset at this development, but they shouldn’t be, as it would appear the North Londoners may well go for another talented attacker, someone who’d be a far better signing than Simons.
At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has reaffirmed Arsenal’s intense interest in Eberechi Eze.
In fact, in news that should delight fans, the Italian journalist has revealed that Crystal Palace “expect” the Gunners to make a move for the Englishman, and that he is now “very keen” on the move.
Interestingly, the £67.5m release clause in the 27-year-old’s contract has now expired, so it remains to be seen what the price needed to get him out of Selhurst Park will be, but whatever it is, Eze’s worth fighting for, and he’d be a far better signing than Simons.
Why Eze would be a better signing than Simons
Now, both Eze and Simons are brilliant players, and Arsenal would massively improve their squad by signing either one.
However, there are some key reasons why the former would be far better than the latter for the Gunners.
The first comes down to their output, as while both are dangerous in front of and around goal, the Englishman is that bit more so.
In 43 appearances, totalling 3303 minutes, the former QPR gem was able to score 14 goals and provide 11 assists for Palace last season, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes.
In contrast, the Leipzig star was able to score 11 goals and provide eight assists in 33 appearances, totalling 2763 minutes, which comes out to a still good, but less impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 145.42 minutes.
On top of that, the Eagles’ midfield “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, is far more experienced than the younger Dutchman, and crucially is Premier League-proven, which, according to Opta analyst, is the toughest competition in world football, whereas the Bundesliga comes in as the fourth most challenging.
This is particularly important for the Gunners, as their second-place finishes in the last three years make next season a must-win year.
Therefore, they will want players in their prime, not those with significant development potential.
Moreover, with the 27-year-old already living in London, he surely wouldn’t need much time at all to settle in.
