Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is widely believed to be targeting Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze after sealing a deal for Viktor Gyokeres, but sporting director Andrea Berta has now been handed an imminent deadline in pursuit of the playmaker.
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The international ace would be a game-changer for Arsenal.
Despite already signing winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea, whilst boating the likes of Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri for the number 10 role, Arsenal have shortlisted Eze as a top target for the last month of the summer window.
Those within Arsenal view Eze as a different style of attacking midfielder to Odegaard, and one who can deliver goals from that position, whereas their club captain excels more at making goals for others (Sky Sports).
|
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) |
Money on new signings |
|---|---|
|
19/20 – winter |
£0 |
|
20/21 – summer |
£81.5m |
|
20/21 – winter |
£900k |
|
21/22 – summer |
£156.8m |
|
21/22 – winter |
£1.8m |
|
22/23 – summer |
£121.5m |
|
22/23 – winter |
£59m |
|
23/24 – summer |
£208m |
|
23/24 – winter |
£0 |
|
24/25 – summer |
£101.5m |
|
24/25 – winter |
£0 |
|
25/26 – summer |
£208m |
A move for the 27-year-old, who bagged an excellent 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, was always seen as a separate signing to Madueke, but is still versatile enough to provide cover on the wings if need be.
In a real boost for Berta, multiple reports have claimed that Eze is very keen on joining Arsenal before deadline day on September 1, so personal terms are unlikely to be an issue.
As well as this, the Gunners remain in constant contact with Eze’s camp, as they have been for a while (Fabrizio Romano), so it appears that Arsenal do still have the financial scope to bring him in after spending north of £200 million already this window.
However, it is important to note that Berta and co are keen to secure some outgoings first.
Eze’s contract includes a release clause worth an initial £60 million, plus bonuses which would take it to £68 million, but intriguing updates in the last few days have revealed that it actually expires on Friday.
Arsenal make Eberechi Eze decision after Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta talks
Specifically, the clause will no longer be valid by 23:59pm on Friday evening, so Arsenal have a matter of hours to decide whether they want to trigger it or not.
According to talkSPORT and journalist Ben Jacobs, they’ve already made their call, with Arsenal informing Palace they have no plans to activate Eze’s £60m buyout before the weekend.
This means that Arsenal will have to enter a negotiation, and Oliver Glasner’s side are free to demand as much as they please for their £100,000-per-week star, who averaged more shots at goal, key passes and successful take-ons per 90 than any other Palace player in the Premier League (WhoScored).
Jacobs also reports that Eze has spoken directly to both Arteta and Berta about joining Arsenal, and the former QPR star is “sold” on a move to the Emirates, but they may now have to sell a player first.
In terms of price, their plan was always to go beneath the clause anyway, so nothing has changed much in the eyes of Arsenal’s recruitment team.
They apparently value Eze at below £60m, with Arsenal hoping to pay a similar fee to that of Anthony Elanga’s £55 million transfer to Newcastle.
