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Gossip: Gyokeres negotiations stallpublished at 07:18 10 July
07:18 10 July
Arsenal's negotiations for 27-year-old Sporting and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres have stalled over a difference of opinion in overall value and terms. (Independent, external)
Al-Hilal want RB Leipzig and Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko, 22, who is also a target for Arsenal. (Sun, external)
Finally, Liverpool could join Arsenal in the race to sign Real Madrid and Brazil winger Rodrygo, 24, if they end up losing Colombia winger Luis Diaz, 28, to Barcelona. (Sacha Tavolieri via Goal, external)
Where could Madueke play for Arsenal?published at 16:37 9 July
16:37 9 July
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal have now made a formal approach to Chelsea for England forward Noni Madueke.
But where could the 23-year-old play for the Gunners?
Image source, Opta
Madueke has made the vast majority of his appearances for the Blues on the right, with 88% of his Premier League minutes coming on that flank since joining in January 2023.
His signing would, therefore, ease the burden on Bukayo Saka, who has perhaps been overworked in recent seasons.
Saka started 108 of 114 league matches from 2021-22 to 2023-24 but missed three months of the most recent campaign with a hamstring injury. Like Saka, when Madueke features on the right wing, he looks to cut inside and shoot with his favoured left foot.
However, Madueke actually ended 2024-25 playing on the left for Chelsea, with head coach Enzo Maresca altering his approach during the run-in.
The former PSV Eindhoven man started four of the Blues' final five Premier League matches on that flank, plus the Conference League final. He also began on the left in England's win against Andorra in June, when he was one of the Three Lions' better performers, setting up Harry Kane's winner.
So in addition to cover for Saka on the right, Madueke could provide competition for both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the opposite wing, where he would offer a slightly more direct threat.
In the most recent Premier League season, Madueke attempted more shots and dribbles per 90 minutes than both Martinelli and Trossard, and carried the ball significantly further.
The England international, 27, has release clause of £60m, plus £8m in potential add-ons, in his contract, which has two years to run.
Palace representatives have, according to sources, been made aware of Arsenal's interest in Eze, who is open to the move, but it is understood the Eagles would demand the full release clause.
The south Londoner has an Arsenal past, having played for the club from the age of eight until he was released at 13.
"I remember crying in my room for a solid week," he said in 2020 of that rejection. Eze joined Palace from Queens Park Rangers five years ago for an initial £16m and has improved his goal and assists output in each of the past three seasons.
Under Oliver Glasner, Eze has made the switch from the left wing to more central areas as one of two attacking midfielders in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Arsenal are in need of strengthening the middle of the park, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both leaving on free transfers this summer, and Eze provides versatility and durability.
He can play in a number of attacking positions and managed 2,603 minutes of Premier League football last season.
Eze, who recently turned 27, would provide the creative spark which Arsenal lacked at times last season, especially without the injured Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
As well as his ability in tight spaces, Eze ranked highly for most combined shots and chances created in the 2024-25 Premier League, with only a handful of exalted players faring better. He could add much in a number eight role at Arsenal, even though it is slightly deeper than what he plays for Palace.
If we take a look at Arsenal's midfielders, no player registered more than five goals - except Mikel Merino, though he was used as makeshift striker towards the end of the campaign.
Declan Rice scored four in 35 Premier League appearances, Martin Odegaard three in 30, Partey four in 35 and Jorginho none in 15 games.
But signing Eze could lead to more goals. He is known to be ambitious with his shooting - only four players have had more goal attempts from outside the penalty area than Eze's Premier League tally of 165 since he joined Crystal Palace.
Only three players have scored more than his 11 top-flight goals from outside the box during that time - and Eze's sweetly struck long-range efforts against Fulham and Aston Villa put Palace en route to FA Cup glory in May.
Gossip: Arsenal set to beat Spurs to Ezepublished at 07:13 9 July
07:13 9 July
Arsenal are prepared to offer a player swap for Crystal Palace and England attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze, 27, and look set to beat Tottenham Hotspur to his signature. (Sun), external
Meanwhile, the Gunners' attempts to sign Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera have stalled as the La Liga club are asking for more than £20m for the 21-year-old Spaniard. (Mirror), external
Last Pundit Standing - finding the BBC's next football expertpublished at 17:47 8 July
17:47 8 July
Media caption,
The BBC's search to find a new football expert is under way, with 12 content creators competing in Last Pundit Standing to win a role as BBC Sport's next football content creator.
The first two episodes of the show - co-hosted by former Watford captain Troy Deeney and YouTuber and football presenter James Allcott - are available to watch on iPlayer, as well as BBC Sport's YouTube channel and TikTok account, with new episodes every week until 11 August.
The contestants, who were chosen from more than 400 applicants, will be whittled down through a series of tasks staged at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.
Arsenal add Heinze to coaching staffpublished at 17:43 8 July
17:43 8 July
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal have confirmed their latest summer arrival as first team coach and former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze.
The 47-year-old previously played alongside Mikel Arteta during their spells at Paris Saint-Germain in the early 2000s, and will now take up the absent coaching position following the recent departure of Carlos Cuesta.
In a club statement Arsenal said Heinze "brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the club".
Heinze was most recently the head coach at Newell's Old Boys, where his playing career began, but has also held managerial roles across the Argentinian top-flight and at MLS side Atlanta United.
Why would Gunners prioritise Madueke over Eze?published at 14:18 8 July
14:18 8 July
Image source, Getty Images
BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.
Joseph asked: Why does it seem like Arsenal are prioritising a move for Noni Madueke over Eberechi Eze? Based on current form and versatility, Eze looks the more complete player. Also, what's behind Arsenal's growing interest in Chelsea players. Is it strategic, opportunistic, or something else entirely?
Phil answered: Arsenal have spent big on Martin Zubimendi and look certain to do so again soon on Viktor Gyokores, so will be weighing up the rest of their expenditure carefully.
I agree that, at this point, Eze is the more complete player, but Madueke is a real talent, four years younger and also a full England international - so it makes sense in the wider context.
I am sure Arsenal's interest in Chelsea players is purely strategic – and there might be some good deals to be had as they need to sell some players at Stamford Bridge.
Steve asked: A lot of people are saying Gyokeres won't be the right player for Arsenal but I think he will be the perfect fit. He's a great goalscorer, which we desperately need. What are your thoughts?
Phil answered: Well, we won't know until he gets here and plays at Premier League level, but Gyokores has the track record to suggest he is exactly what Arsenal need, with an outstanding tally of 97 goals in 102 matches in two seasons in Portugal.
That suggests he is the reliable marksman the Gunners require - and the type of striker they should have signed 12 months ago.
'Let the beast come and shine' - fans on Gyokeres progresspublished at 11:22 8 July
11:22 8 July
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Arsenal potentially completing the signing of Swedish forward Victor Gyokeres and if you're excited about the striker.
Here are some of your comments:
Vince: His stats make for exciting reading, but he isn't proven in Europe's top leagues. I'm afraid he's another Darwin Nunez, who was just as impressive before underwhelming in the Premier League following a similarly expensive transfer. Still, he did win the title with Liverpool, so maybe that justifies the price tag after all!
Adam: Gyokeres feels like the best of the rest when Sesko was the preferred option. I would hate to think that in two years we regret not going all out for a world-class striker when we had the chance.
Philip: Gyokeres would not be my first choice as he is not a world-class striker, and at 27 years old, it is too much to pay for a player that age.
However, some fans loved the idea of signing Gyokeres and the prospect of a traditional forward lead the line for Arsenal.
Paul: Just get it done, why is everything a saga with Arsenal? Our rivals have completed their business.
Hammy: Absolutely, Gyokeres is a proven goal machine. He has a great hunger for goals and is a bona fide poacher who can perform in any club and in any league. His goals will win Arsenal massive titles, trust me. The only missing piece in the Arsenal attack is a goal machine, and he is there to solve it, and he knows why he's joining Arsenal.
Mike: Very excited. Let the beast come and shine. Would love to see him score against Manchester United to inflict pain on his former boss.
Arsenal edge closer to Gyokeres dealpublished at 18:51 7 July
18:51 7 July
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has held face-to-face talks with Sporting in Portugal as the Premier League club move closer towards a deal for striker Viktor Gyokeres.
BBC Sport revealed last Thursday the Gunners had accelerated their interest in the Sweden international as their well-documented search for a new centre-forward reaches a climax.
Meanwhile, Brentford captain Christian Norgaard is due to complete the formalities on his move to the Emirates in the coming days.
The two clubs have agreed a deal worth up to £15m for the Denmark international midfielder.
Arsenal will also decide whether to formalise a move for Chelsea attacker Noni Madueke after agreeing personal terms with the England international.
Chelsea are aware of interest in the versatile winger, 23.
Arteta signed three times as many keepers as strikerspublished at 18:49 7 July
18:49 7 July
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Since Mikel Arteta became manager of Arsenal in December 2019, the Gunners have signed three times as many goalkeepers as strikers.
Last week's arrivals of midfielder Martin Zubimendi and keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga took Arteta's incomings, including loan signings, to 32 over five seasons. Kepa was the sixth goalkeeper he has brought into the club.
Three-quarters of those additions have been midfielders or defenders.
The only two recognised strikers he has recruited are Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, both whom can play other roles but do have plenty of experience leading the line.
The Gunners have used Leandro Trossard up front at times but that was largely as a result of injuries to Jesus and Havertz earlier this year. As the Belgian has made the majority of his Premier League appearances on the wing, he has not been included as a striker in the chart below.
Zubimendi's arrival brings Arteta's total transfer spending to £743m, excluding add-ons, of which £107m went on Jesus and Havertz. That compares to £341m invested in midfielders and wingers, £231m on the defence and £63.5m on goalkeepers.
Arsenal scored 22 goals fewer in the league last season than in 2023-24. That lack of cutting edge contributed to them falling well behind eventual champions Liverpool and may have persuaded Arteta that recruiting a marquee number nine is overdue.
Arsenal start preparations for new season with training camppublished at 11:43 7 July
11:43 7 July
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal have started their preparations for the new season with some players taking part in an optional training camp in Marbella.
Mikel Arteta spoke towards the end of last season about how the players "demanded" the training camp and that it is "impossible" for a squad to deal with the physical demands of a long season straight from their holidays.
The Gunners have made this trip to Spain before with players doing similar last summer.
The rest of the Arsenal squad are due to meet at the London Colney training ground this week for the official start of pre-season training.
Sporting's 27-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres is prepared to give up about £2m in wages to help push through his £70m move to Arsenal. (Record - in Portuguese), external
Arsenal were linked with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, 22, but the German club's asking price of €100m (£86m) for the Slovenia international put the Gunners off. (Sky Sports Germany), external
'Top-class holding midfielder' - fans on Zubimendipublished at 19:13 6 July
19:13 6 July
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on what the signing of Martin Zubimendi could mean for Arsenal's starting XI.
Here are some of your comments:
Tony: Excellent signing, no doubt about it. A top-class holding midfielder is now a 'must have' for any team that wants to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League.
Dominic: Definitely an upgrade on Jorginho and Thomas Partey and he will give Mikel Arteta a chance to give Declan Rice a rest occasionally too. Superb acquisition.
Ali: Excellent and very astute buy, much coveted by other top European clubs. I strongly believe with this acquisition and adding a proper recognised striker will make all the difference between the routine second place, and the much desired first spot.
Martin: Zubimendi is going to be the number six that most thought Rice would be before Arteta saw him as a number eight. Hopefully he frees Martin Odegaard up as well.
Sam: It's a very good signing and a crucial one as well. He will sit in that six role like he has done so well for Real Sociedad and Spain. This will also continue to make sure Declan Rice is able to help out the attack. Very happy with the signing overall - good business!
Jon: Zubemendi is a classic number six and is more creative than Partey. His destructive role will also release Odegaard and Rice.
Martin Zubimendi played 236 times for Real Sociedad - his only club to date - and scored 10 goals.
But he is not a goalscorer, because he is primarily a defensive midfielder.
Real Sociedad played several formations last season, though mostly it was a 4-1-4-1 with Zubimendi as the pivot.
In La Liga in 2024-25, he ranked in the top five of central midfielders for successful passes, successful long passes, progressive passes, touches, tackles, interceptions, aerial duels won and distance of completed upfield passes (8.5km).
"He's not a paragon of technical prowess, nor does he stand out for his vision, his long ball touch, or his ability to link up," said Spanish journalist and Real Sociedad expert Roberto Ramajo, external.
"He delivers in every aspect of a midfielder's game, and he always contributes. And that's what sets him apart, what allows him to excel the way he has at Real Sociedad since he came into the first team.
"Martin has very good tactical ability. He knows how to occupy space on the pitch almost perfectly, and he reads his team's needs very well when it comes to helping his team-mates.
"He has fantastic reading of the game, because he's very intelligent without the ball. I know he's hailed with the ball, but I like him better off it."
