Arsenal are likely to make a “formal approach” for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze before the transfer window closes, according to BBC journalist Sami Mokbel.
Speaking on the Latte Firm YouTube channel, Mokbel confirmed that the Gunners are working on the deal in the background but an official offer may have to wait until they have sold one or two players:
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“In terms of Eze, the Arsenal interest is absolutely genuine as I understand it, and while there’s not been a formal ‘through the front door’ approach to Palace, I think there’ll be [enough] machinations behind the scenes that Palace know that Arsenal are there or thereabouts with maybe making that formal approach before then.”
“I’m not saying it’s soon, but I think you probably need to balance the books first. Arsenal are there waiting ominously to try and make a deal happen. So the release clause is 60 [million pounds], an initial 60 plus an extra 8 based on how he performs – they’re all performance-related bonuses.”
While Palace are sticking firm to their valuation now, Mokbel suggests the Eagles may soften their stance the closer we get to deadline day due to Eze‘s contract situation:
“What I am led to believe at the moment is that any suggestion that Palace would accept an offer lower than the release clause is false. I think, at the moment and I stress at the moment, that Palace and the powers that be at Palace will demand the full whack – the full 60 million if they are to let him go but I there’s a part of me that wonders, because he’s only got two two years left on his contract, there’s a part of me that wonders towards the end of the window whether that stance kind of relaxes ever so slightly.”
“I’m not saying he’d be available for 40 million quid because that’s just not going to happen, right? But I wonder if there is an opportunity just to maybe shave a little bit off the asking price towards the end of the window, but there are other clubs, as I understand it, that are interested in Eze. As I understand, he’s absolutely also open to staying at Palace, so I think that’s a saga that will run, but I can see Arsenal making a formal approach for him.”
Who could Arsenal sell to raise the £60m required?
Leandro Trossard has a year left on his contract and he is yet to agree terms on an extension so the Belgian’s departure cannot be ruled out. Players such as Reiss Nelson, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Oleksandr Zinchenko are also said to be available for transfer.
However, you would still think that Mikel Arteta’s side would struggle to raise the money required for Eze by offloading those players. A higher profile exit may be required.
Could both Eze and Rodrygo be signed?
When the Gunners’ interest in the Crystal Palace star was first revealed, it was suggested that his arrival was separate from the club’s pursuit of a winger.
That would raise the prospect of Rodrygo being signed, in addition to Eze, but Mokbel has now categorically ruled that out unless there is a major sale of some kind.
In other news, Mokbel discusses the possibility of Arsenal snapping up Rodrygo