Arsenal have now emerged as the outright frontrunners to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur slipping out of the race despite previous interest.
In the early stages of the summer window, Tottenham Hotspur were seen as favourites to sign Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze.
It was reported that Eze was keen on joining Spurs as he looked to spearhead the Thomas Frank revolution, with UEFA Champions League football on offer.
The Crystal Palace man has a £68 million release clause that is active this summer window, and some reports even claimed that Spurs could pay Eze’s clause in instalments this transfer window.
Arsenal move ahead of Tottenham in Eberechi Eze race
However, the transfer saga took a twist when reports emerged that Arsenal are considering a move for Eze too this window.
The Crystal Palace man, who impressed last term by scoring 14 goals and assisting 11 in all competitions, is said to now be on the radar of Arsenal, who view him as an alternative to Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, their primary target.
It has been reported that Eze is now keen to join the Gunners this summer, and Arsenal themselves are actively considering a move for the Englishman.
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Journalist reveals Spurs have given Arsenal a free run at Eze
Journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking to Betway, has now revealed who the frontrunner for Eze’s signature is and whether Spurs have a realistic chance of landing the Crystal Palace man as well.
He said: “Arsenal are the club to watch for Eberechi Eze, and they held talks over the weekend in which Eze and senior recruitment and football figures were present. Eze is keen on a move to Arsenal. So, if Arsenal choose to proceed, agreeing terms with the player will not be a problem.
“The only challenge is Arsenal view the £68 million release clause as not something at this stage they want to trigger, and therefore, there would be some negotiation needed with Crystal Palace.
“We’ll have to understand in the next week or two whether anything moves. If it does, I expect it to do so quite quickly because Arsenal consider their window to be really starting on July 1st, and they want to get moving now to get as many players in as they can before the preseason begins. So, Eze and Arsenal could move.
“From Tottenham’s point of view, they were never really there. Tottenham appreciate Eberechi Eze, but nothing more than that, and Spurs’ focus at the moment is on Mohammad Kudus.
“So, if Arsenal choose to proceed, they’re going to have a relatively clear run and they’re going to have player buy-in as well. Eze is seen by Arsenal as an attacking midfielder, not a left winger, even though he can play there, and that means that this is in addition to a left-wing signing, possibly a right winger arriving, and obviously a number nine as well.
“Arsenal could end up reshaping their entire front line and then whether it’s three or four will depend a lot on, I think, whether Arsenal can get Rodrygo, because if Rodrygo, who will hold talks about his future with Xabi Alonso after the Club World Cup, decides he wants to leave Real, Real are prepared to sanction an exit around £90 million, and Rodrygo’s a dream target for Arsenal.
“I think it would be feasible for Arsenal to do Rodrygo at £90 million if they only add one winger, and then the expectation would be Rodrygo’s the starting left winger.
“Perhaps it calls into question the future of Gabriel Martinelli, and then if needed, as he’s doing at Real Madrid, Rodrygo could periodically be used as Bukayo Saka cover on the right-hand side and that would allow Arsenal the versatility to put £90 million towards one player who can switch sides, be left-sided starter and right-sided cover. Kind of the opposite to what he is at Real Madrid.
“If they don’t go in that direction, or Rodrygo doesn’t become feasible, then you might be looking at that same £90 million number being put on a left winger and a right winger. And that’s where Noni Madueke could be one to watch.
“So, you’ll have a situation where Eze and Arsenal is concrete and developing, still a left winger and possibly a right winger, and certainly a number nine could all arrive. Andrea Berta wants to get as many of those names in as early as possible to settle Arsenal ahead of the new Premier League season.”