Bukayo Saka has already warned Arsenal about Eberechi Eze as £70m transfer mooted

Bukayo Saka's glowing assessment of Eberechi Eze will delight Arsenal supporters. The North London club are weighing up a £70million bid for the Crystal Palace ace, who has emerged as their top transfer priority following the signing of striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Eze, 27, has supported the Gunners since childhood and is believed to be keen on the move - as, it's fair to assume, is Saka. In comments made last year, Saka highlighted Eze as the England team-mate who stood out to him most during training sessions.

"Eze has been class in training," said the 23-year-old. "He has impressed me the most, I would say." Saka isn't the only one taken aback by Eze's ability. Former QPR star Joel Lynch, who played with Eze at Loftus Road, previously revealed he "wouldn't go near him" in training, due to the midfielder's unpredictable flair.

"I wouldn't go near him because he'd just do some madness and try and nutmeg me," Lynch explained to BBC Sport. "Before the start of games, where everyone is giving each other high fives, I'd go up to him and say, 'Mate, score a couple now so we can all go home. Just win us the game, please'.

"He was that good. I actually thought at the time he could literally just win us the game. The only time I watch the Premier League now is to watch him play."

If the transfer goes through, Arsenal's backline might be in for a tough test during training sessions. While lining up alongside him on matchdays will be exciting, it's in training where they'll have to deal with his full repertoire, just as Lynch once did.

"He was miles above the rest really," Lynch added. "The way he carries himself is perfect. If any young lad coming through the game wants to look at a player it would be him, he's the prime example of how to be a professional. He's a class act."

Eze still has two years to run on his deal at Selhurst Park, which gives Palace strong leverage as they seek a substantial transfer sum. Arsenal, however, hope to negotiate a lower fee after spending nearly £200m on new signings already this window.

Along with Gyokeres, the Gunners have secured the signatures of Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Cristhian Mosquera - with Mikel Arteta going all-in to bring Premier League silverware back to the Emirates.

Should Eze join too, Arsenal's expenditure this window would surpass £250m - the most the club has ever spent in a single summer. Eze made the move to Crystal Palace from QPR in 2020 and swiftly became an integral part of the team. His standout displays earned him an England debut in 2023 and a spot in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad the year after.

Last season, he was instrumental in Palace's historic FA Cup triumph, netting the winner in a stunning final against Manchester City at Wembley.

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