Arsenal may need to thank Declan Rice if they manage to secure the signature of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
It's been suggested that the Gunners are ramping up their pursuit of the 27-yearyold, who has a hefty £68million release clause in his Selhurst Park contract. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are on a mission to bolster Arsenal's attacking prowess this summer, with Eze featuring on a list of potential recruits that also includes Rodrygo and Noni Madueke.
The club are also keen to add a new striker to their ranks with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres of interest. Ideally, Arsenal would like to negotiate a deal for Eze that falls below his release clause, but Palace, who have no pressing need to part ways with their key playmaker, have a reputation for being tough negotiators. They notably gave Newcastle a run-around during their pursuit of Marc Guehi last year.
GiveMeSport suggests that Eze, having guided Palace to FA Cup glory and a potential spot in next season's Europa League, is contemplating a move away from the club, although their European status is still pending due to multi-club ownership rules.
Interestingly, it seems that Rice, who swapped West Ham for Arsenal two years ago, could be influencing Eze's decision to leave Palace. Eze is said to be attracted to the idea of following in Rice's footsteps, having seen him flourish at Arsenal, and 'feels ready' to emulate his success, reports the Express.
Eze has made his mark on the England squad over the past two years, even netting his first international goal in March. However, his spot in next year's World Cup is still up in the air, and he's yet to experience European football.
He could slot into the midfield alongside Rice, vying for a place with Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard, or feature on the left of Arteta's three-pronged attack, likely alongside a new striker and Bukayo Saka. A move to Arsenal would be a homecoming for Eze, who started his career at the Emirates Stadium before being let go at 13, subsequently joining Fulham and then Reading.
With just two years remaining on his Palace contract, the club faces a dilemma: cash in now while his value is high, or risk a drop in price as his contract winds down. L'Equipe reports that Arsenal have made significant strides towards signing Eze in recent hours, whilst also tabling an offer for Chelsea's Madueke.
Talks between the Gunners and Eze's representatives are reportedly well underway, with the only remaining question being whether Arsenal will meet his release clause or try to negotiate a lower fee with Palace.