Gyokeres move, Eze fight and Sesko decision – Predicting Arsenal transfer business for 2025

Arsenal completed more transfer business than both Manchester City and Liverpool combined yet many were left feeling that more was still needed. The window might be closed but that has not stopped many from looking ahead to what might be on the horizon in 2025 with both the January market and next summer offering some interesting opportunities.

The Gunners are light in attacking midfield following the injury suffered by Martin Odegaard and after the loan of Fabio Vieira, many feel they have shot themselves in the foot with such a move. In reality, the signing of Mikel Merino and the promotion of Ethan Nwaneri were designed to help cover both Vieira’s temporary exit and the sale of Emile Smith Rowe but the signing from San Sebastian is now sadly injured too.

What that leaves Mikel Arteta with is a tougher test than perhaps many were expecting, especially when you add in the injuries suffered by Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Riccardo Calafiori and the suspension of Declan Rice from the North London Derby. However as we have heard from the likes of Edu Gaspar, the sporting director, planning for future windows begins very early.

Arsenal are known to have had an interest in the Swede football.london understands but opted against the €100million (£84million) release clause. Speaking to Sport Bladet, Gyokeres explained the reality of the summer window and how this price tag might’ve put the likes of Arsenal off a move this summer.

“They (Sporting) wanted most of the starting players to stay and held us tight. That’s how it turned out, but I enjoy Sporting very much, so for me it was no problem to stay,” he said.

“Of course. You want to play at the highest level. [The release clause] was probably a bit too much because nothing came of it. Of course, it’s a lot of money, but we’ll see what happens next window.

“Nothing happened and it feels like I had a pretty good season. So yes, that’s probably why there was simply no move. But that’s what Sporting thinks I’m worth, and then you have to respect that.”

Another expected to be of keen interest to both Arsenal and Manchester City is Eberechi Eze. The Crystal Palace and England international has had another excellent start to the season with his club’s chairman Steve Parish speaking of his shock that there was so little interest in making a deal happen.

“I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael [Olise] and Ebbs [Eze] in the same window and we didn’t have in Ebbs the interest that I thought we would have. I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy’s just an outstanding footballer and an outstanding person.”

Arsenal certainly did not appear to have the financial desire to spend on a marquee player in the summer and attacking midfield was not a priority like central midfield, defence and the wide areas were. Arteta mentioned on the pre-season tour a Declan Rice-type deal was not to be expected.

Palace would be looking for a very big number to land Eze but after the sustainable approach to the summer of 2024, the idea of signing both Gyokeres and Eze is not all too farfetched. Arsenal will hope to pick up a trophy this season to use as a negotiating tool in any discussions.

Should Gyokeres be the player the club picks, however, interest in Benjamin Sesko, therefore, may fade. Arsenal were keen on the Slovenian striker as a market opportunity earlier in the year but the forward wanted a quick resolution to his situation before the Euros which at that time the Gunners were unable to offer.