Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, with club officials reportedly willing to include a player in the deal to help meet Palace’s valuation. As the north London outfit battle rivals Tottenham Hotspur for the attacking midfielder's signature, director of football Andrea Berta has initiated talks with Eze’s representatives to get ahead in the race.
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Arsenal working on signing EzeEager to execute a player plus cash dealEze will not force a move out of PalaceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the Gunners are keen to present a compelling package that could convince Palace to soften their firm stance on the player’s £68 million ($92m) release clause. Discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, and Arsenal believe a promising young defender from their squad might help bridge the gap in negotiations.
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Eze is open to a transfer to Arsenal and has remained in top condition during the off-season as he anticipates a potential move. While Palace remain adamant that any transfer must meet the full terms of his buyout clause, there is cautious optimism that the addition of a talented prospect in exchange could sway their position. While the identity of the player remains undisclosed, sources indicate he is a highly-regarded academy graduate who has made limited appearances for the first team but is held in high regard within the club.
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Palace could be tempted by the inclusion of a defensive reinforcement, especially as they brace for the potential departure of Marc Guehi. Both Liverpool and Newcastle United have shown strong interest in the England centre-back, and Palace are already lining up Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande as a possible replacement. Moreover, an untimely ACL injury to Chadi Riad, who joined from Real Betis last summer, will see him miss the start of the upcoming campaign.
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Despite growing speculation about his future, Eze has made it clear behind the scenes that he intends to handle any departure with class and respect. The playmaker, who still has two years remaining on his contract, is reluctant to force a move that would damage his legacy at Selhurst Park.
He has paid close attention to how former teammate Michael Olise approached his own transfer saga amid interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich, and hopes to follow a similarly dignified path. He has earned immense admiration from Palace fans, especially after his iconic goal in the FA Cup final that brought the club their first major trophy in decades and is determined to preserve his relationship with the supporters.