Arsenal handed boost to sign £68m star after club owner's comments
Arsenal have had a promising transfer window with six signings.
The Gunners are likely to focus on adding more firepower in the final third before the window closes.
It is an open secret that Arsenal want to sign Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, and they have now been given hope after comments from Eagles co-owner Steve Parish.
Parish was asked about the futures of Eze and Marc Guehi after the Community Shield win over Liverpool. He did not categorically rule out their summer transfers.
He told Hayters TV: “Yeah of course, but listen, players come and go in football clubs. I mean it’s a life cycle isn’t it? Hopefully they’ll still be here, that’s what I’d like. But we’ll see.”
Arsenal have already been in contact with Eze’s representatives over a potential summer deal, and the playmaker has given the green light to join the club before the deadline.
However, the Gunners have yet to make a formal approach for his services. Eze’s £68 million release clause expired on August 1, but Palace could negotiate on similar terms.
The Eagles will reportedly demand £35m as an initial fee, with the remaining paid in instalments.
That represents a huge outlay upfront, and Arsenal may seek to recoup funds from outgoings first before making an official offer to sign the 27-year-old England international.
However, the Gunners need to be proactive in doing so and can’t afford to delay their pursuit of Eze, particularly with Liverpool keen on landing Palace defender Guehi.
Guehi has entered the last 12 months of his deal, and Palace could lean towards selling him first. If an agreement were to be reached with the Reds, it could hamper Arsenal’s move for Eze.
Palace could be reluctant to lose two marquee players during the same window, while they may also increase the price tag for Eze to create a further roadblock for the Gunners.
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