Arsenal could be set to hand rivals Tottenham Hotspur more transfer misery.
Arsenal are interested in signing Eberechi Eze and the Crystal Palace man wants to join the Gunners ahead of Spurs after they also showed interest in the England international.
Noni Madueke was a Spurs academy graduate and is also close to joining the club after a £52m fee was agreed between Arsenal and Chelsea. The 23-year-old is currently undergoing medical tests.
Now Arsenal could be set to deliver a third blow to their North London neighbours this summer, stemming from something they did back in 2023.
Tottenham Hotspur told they have to pay ‘Declan Rice’ money to sign Adam Wharton
According to journalist Dean Jones, Tottenham Hotspur have hit a stumbling block in their pursuit of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton over the asking price for the 21-year-old.
Spurs are keen to add to their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign next season but have been told that it would take an offer close to the fee paid for Declan Rice to tempt Palace into selling.
Jones stated: “Tottenham like Adam Wharton a lot. But Crystal Palace are playing hardball. We’re talking a valuation that could go north of £80 million.
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“Palace believe there’s no reason they shouldn’t aim for a Rice-style fee after what West Ham pulled off a couple of years back. And to be fair… they might have a point.”
Arsenal completed the signing of Rice back in 2023 for a club-record fee of £105m and the midfielder was outstanding last campaign for the Gunners.
Rice has not travelled to Spain for the initial part of pre-season as he is still following an individual training programme but the England star will be looking to hit the ground running once again next season.
Spurs will now have to cough up close to Rice’s valuation if they want to sign Wharton and having already spent money on Mohammed Kudus and the likely signing of Morgan Gibbs-White, that fee may be beyond their realms.
Adam Wharton valuation makes Christian Norgaard signing look even better
There is no doubt that Wharton is a terrific prospect at Palace and at just 21 years of age, he will develop into one of the best midfielders in the country.
However, his valuation north of £80m makes Andrea Berta’s signing of Christian Norgaard for just £10m look even better.
Norgaard could prove to be an excellent piece of business and provide depth and quality to Mikel Arteta’s midfield options.
His relatively cheap price tag also allows Arsenal to splash the cash in other areas, most notably in their attack.