Arsenal’s Transfer Push
- Viktor Gyokeres: Arsenal are closing in on Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, with personal terms agreed for a £70m deal (£60.5m upfront, £8.5m add-ons). Sporting director Andrea Berta is in Lisbon to finalize the payment structure, though Sporting hold firm at €80m. Gyokeres, with 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting (43 in 2024/25), is Mikel Arteta’s top striker target, but he’s prepared to wait until September 1 for a loan to Fenerbahce if the move stalls. Benjamin Sesko remains a Plan B, per reports.independent.co.ukfootballtransfers.comfootball.london
- Eberechi Eze: Arsenal are nearing a deal for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, with talks advancing for a £45m base fee plus performance bonuses, potentially reaching £68m. Eze, 27, prefers Arsenal over Liverpool and Tottenham, with a swap deal involving Reiss Nelson or Eddie Nketiah discussed. His 11 goals and 6 assists in 2024/25 make him a versatile fit for Arteta’s 4-3-3, though PSR constraints may require sales.mirror.co.ukfootball365.com
- Rodrygo: Arsenal’s hopes of signing Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, valued at £112m, have been boosted as PSG and Manchester City’s interest cools. Real’s plan to sell Rodrygo to fund Kylian Mbappe’s wages has faltered, with Arsenal eyeing a late-window move. Rodrygo’s 8 goals and 1.9 key passes per game in 2024/25 add depth behind Bukayo Saka.standard.co.ukgreatdriffieldradio.co.uk
Chelsea’s Targets
- Ethan Nwaneri: Chelsea are monitoring Arsenal’s 18-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri, whose contract talks have stalled due to demands for guaranteed minutes. Nwaneri, with 2 assists in 12 Premier League games in 2024/25, shares an agent with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, fueling swap talk. Arsenal’s pursuit of Madueke could see Chelsea push for Nwaneri or academy star Max Dowman, though Mikel Arteta is reluctant to let him go.standard.co.ukespn.com
- Morgan Rogers: Chelsea also have Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, 22, on their radar, with 7 goals and 5 assists in 2024/25. Enzo Maresca sees Rogers as a versatile winger to complement Joao Pedro’s Club World Cup heroics (2 goals vs. Fluminense). A potential swap involving Madueke could facilitate the move, with Villa valuing Rogers at £50m.
Manchester United’s Moves
- Bryan Mbeumo: Manchester United are in fresh talks with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo, 25, after £55m and £62.5m bids were rejected. Brentford demand £65m for the Cameroonian, who scored 9 goals and 6 assists in 2024/25 (2.1 dribbles per game). Mbeumo’s frustration with slow progress could force a deal, with United prioritizing him over Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Moise Kean.independent.co.ukindependent.co.uk
- Goncalo Inacio: United have added Sporting CP’s 23-year-old centre-back Goncalo Inacio to their shortlist, valued at €60m. Inacio, with 3 Portugal caps and 2.3 interceptions per game, is an alternative to Javi Guerra and Matthijs de Ligt. United’s defense, conceding 1.6 xGA per game in 2024/25, needs bolstering after signing Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.standard.co.uk
Sentiment and Context
Arsenal’s £185.6m summer spend (Zubimendi, Norgaard, Kepa) fuels optimism on X, with fans calling Gyokeres a “title-winner” and Eze a “Saka deputy.” Chelsea’s interest in Nwaneri, dubbed “doomed” by some, faces skepticism, while United’s Mbeumo chase draws criticism for slow negotiations. Tottenham’s failed Kudus bid and interest in Jack Grealish and Koni De Winter add competition, per posts on X. The transfer window, closing September 1, sees Arsenal leading the race, with Chelsea and United needing swift action before pre-season friendlies (Arsenal vs. AC Milan, July 26; United vs. Milan, July 26).
Next Steps
Arsenal aim to announce Gyokeres by July 15, with Eze’s deal potentially following if Nketiah (£30m) is sold to Palace or Marseille. Chelsea’s Nwaneri pursuit hinges on Madueke’s £50m exit, with Rogers a fallback. United face a deadline to meet Brentford’s Mbeumo price before he returns to pre-season on July 14, while Inacio talks could accelerate if Marcus Rashford’s £40m Barcelona move funds it. The Premier League starts August 15, with Arsenal facing United, setting the stage for these signings to shine.
