Chelsea are reportedly plotting a move to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who Arsenal are looking to sign this summer.
The Gunners have already added in attack, with the addition of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, who signed for a base fee of £48m. It has been heralded as a controversial signing as the England international will likely play as a backup to Bukayo Saka.
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Furthermore, Arsenal want to bring in competition for Gabriel Martinelli on the left-wing, and their most likely target is Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze. The winger wants a move to Arsenal this summer and personal terms won’t be an issue, but the Gunners are reportedly reluctant to pay his £68m release clause. Bearing in mind they are likely to spend £70m plus on Viktor Gyokeres in total, £68m for Eze would be a big financial hit.
According to Chelsea specialist transfer Journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea aim to hijack Arsenal’s deal for Eze, as they have extra funds following their Club World Cup triumph last week. Furthermore, Phillips includes that the Blues could consider offering defender Trevoh Chalobah in part exchange after the centre-back spent the first half of last year on loan at Selhurst Park.
Who could Arsenal sign instead of Eze
The immediately obvious alternative to Eze is Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who is considered as Arsenal’s ‘dream’ winger target. However, he is expected to command an even bigger fee than Eze, with Madrid pricing him at £86m.
Liverpool are also interested in Rodrygo, and see him as an alternative if they fail to land Alexander Isak this summer. If it isn’t Rodrygo, the Arsenal could also consider a move for AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.
The Portuguese forward is also on the radar of Liverpool and Bayern Munich, and after a disappointing season at AC Milan, he could be willing to leave this summer for pastures new. Last year, the 26-year-old scored eight goals and provided eight assists in the Serie A.