Ebere Eze appears destined for a marquee transfer before the 2025/26 campaign with Arsenal a perfect destination.
The 26-year-old has endured a mixed season for Crystal Palace but the last seven days has showed his undeniable quality and exactly why the Gunners should be all over a summer deal.
After losing Michael Olise to Bayern Munich ahead of the current campaign, the onus was on Eze to become the club's talisman.
Palace owner Steve Parish had spoken about potentially losing both players and his shock that there was not more interest in Eze.
"I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael and Ebbs in the same window and we didn't have in Ebbs the interest that I thought we would have," Parish said.
"I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy's just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person."
Despite that belief, in terms of direct goal contributions, he found it difficult to make a lasting impact with the Eagles also struggling for consistency.
That drastically changed at the turn of the year however with Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Eze key to that. In 2025, Palace have lost just twice and are now making a real push for a European spot while also being in the latter stages of the FA Cup.
Fresh off scoring for England in the 3-0 friendly victory over Latvia, Eze grabbed another goal and picked up an assist in a rampant FA Cup quarter-final first half away at Fulham.
Picking up the ball from Tyrick Mitchell just beyond the half hour mark, Eze turned sharply and fired a superb effort into the far corner beyond Bernd Leno.
He then turned provider four minutes later as his cross was glanced home at the near post by Ismalia Sarr. In the space of just a few minutes, Eze helped put Palace in a commanding position and he could be exactly what Arsenal are craving.
A player capable of deciding a game at the drop off a hat with some creative freedom to roam in search of ways to hurt the opposition.
Given his displays, Palace will almost certainly demand a significant fee to let him depart but he could be a game-changer for Arteta.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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