Eberechi Eze signs, Malick Fofana decision, one exit - Arsenal dream attack for Mikel Arteta

Arsenal's summer transfer spending is expected to exceed the £250million mark with Eberechi Eze closing in on a blockbuster move to the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta's side have reached an agreement in principle to sign the 27-year-old from Crystal Palace.

Tottenham were the frontrunners to land Eze and held further talks with Palace on Wednesday, football.london understands, but Arsenal then made a last-ditch attempt to bring him to the red half of north London.

As Eze made it clear his preference is Arsenal, he is now expected to make the £68m - the same amount as his expired release clause - move to the Gunners. The England international is set to feature for Palace against Fredrikstad in the Conference League play-off on Thursday before undergoing his medical.

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Eze is anticipated to become Arsenal's seventh transfer of the summer, taking the club's spending to more than £250m after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, defender Cristhian Mosquera, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, winger Noni Madueke and striker Viktor Gyokeres moved to N7.

Given his performances for Palace across the last couple of years, Eze would slot straight into the Arsenal dream attack following the end of the window. Whether he is used as a left sided attacker or a No.10 remains to be seen, but with the Gunners exploring a move for another winger, Eze would move into the midfield.

Eze would therefore replace Martin Odegaard, who struggled during Sunday's 1-0 win at Manchester United and wasn't at his best last season, in the more advanced midfield position.

Moving to the front three, Malick Fofana would be another new signing in the team. Arsenal are reported to be eyeing up an ambitious move for the 20-year-old Belgium international in a £34.6m deal from Lyon.

Fofana, who joined Lyon in a £14.7million plus add-ons deal from Gent in January 2024, scored 11 times and provided six assists in 41 appearances last campaign. He appears to have continued on his form into 2025/2026, too, as he set up Georges Mikautadze's winner as Lyon beat Lens 1-0 last Saturday.

The Gunners have been looking for a new left-sided forward throughout the summer and have been linked with a move for AC Milan's Rafael Leao, Real Madrid's Rodrygo and Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon.

But Fofana is the next winger Arsenal are considering during the final part of the summer window. He would be a dream attacking recruit for Arteta to strengthen that front line and replace Gabriel Martinelli on the left.

Looking at the centre, Gyokeres has to be the No. 9, despite his disappointing competitive debut on Sunday. He is no doubt going to get better and improve as the season goes on, with the Sweden international set for increased game time now that Kai Havertz is expected to spend time on the sidelines.

Bukayo Saka, therefore, would keep his place on the right with Noni Madueke back-up on that side. Saka can be a difference-maker for the Gunners, as he has been in previous years, even if he struggled against United.

Leandro Trossard has been linked with a move away from the Emirates, but he would be kept as competition now that Havertz is out injured, while Martinelli would be among the others on the bench.

There is one attacker that should be sold, however, and that is Reiss Nelson. The 25-year-old doesn't appear to be part of Arteta's long-term plans and given his age and profile, he should be sold for the benefit of both parties.

Arsenal dream attack: Eze, Fofana, Gyokeres, Saka