Eberechi Eze to Arsenal transfer twist as Andrea Berta faces crucial £61m decision

Staff
By Staff

Arsenal could still sign Eberechi Eze in the summer transfer window despite that fact he now looks more likely to stay at Crystal Palace. Sporting director Andrea Berta held talks with his camp in July, but the Gunners prioritised six other signings.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke all saw their respective moves confirmed before the club’s pre-season tour of Asia. While overseas, Arsenal also wrapped up deals for Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres.

Roughly £200million has now been spent to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad but it is clear that some problems still exist. In friendly defeats to Tottenham and Villareal, Arsenal struggled to convert chances from open play with a new option off the left needed.

Madueke can cover both flanks but will likely be needed more on the left as Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have failed to make a lasting impact over the last six months while Bukayo Saka, on the opposite side, remains as the club’s talisman.

Eze is versatile enough to play out wide, though his preference is to be deployed centrally. As things stand, Ethan Nwaneri signing a new contract and the impressive pre-season performances of Max Dowman make a move for Eze unlikely.

However, with the window still open a lot can change over the coming weeks and BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel has revealed what it may take for Arsenal to sign Eze.

“Do I think Eberechi Eze to Arsenal will happen? As of today, I would say not happening,” he admitted on Arsenal podcast Latte Firm.

“Where I think there might be leeway, is if they can sell Leandro Trossard and maybe one other – Eze could arrive as a multi-functional forward.”

The Belgium international sees his contract expire next summer and though talks over an extension have taken place, no real progress has been made which could result in him being sold this month. He was absent for the recent pre-season defeat to Villareal but that was due to injury.

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Arsenal are looking to recoup £20million of the £27million that went to Brighton for his services back in January 2023 with interest from Turkiye and Saudi Arabia present. To both fund a move for Eze and make an addition worthwhile, a second exit seems to be needed.

That will most likely to come through Fabio Vieira departing with talks for him to join Stuttgart ongoing. Back in the summer of 2022, roughly £34million was spent to sign him from Porto and while his value has deteriorated significantly, the Gunners are also hopeful of receiving £20million.

Enzo Millot’s expected £23.4million switch from the German club to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli makes that possible with the Portugal international targeted as his replacement.

If Arsenal make a move for Eze, they no longer have the option to activate his release clause as that expired last week. Holding talks with Palace will have to be the approach but their exit stance will have almost certainly become firmer especially as their 2025/26 campaign kicks off this Sunday in the Community Shield against Liverpool.

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