Crystal Palace to make imminent Eberechi Eze decision as Arsenal transfer plan clear

Arsenal will be handed a major Eberechi Eze update later today as sporting director Andrea Berta attempts to make him the club's seventh summer signing. Roughly £200million has already been spent to strengthen Mikel Arteta's squad this summer, with Viktor Gyokeres the latest to arrive.

Just 48 hours before the Swede's switch from Sporting CP was confirmed, Cristhian Mosquera was announced as a new Arsenal player. Earlier in July, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga all had their moves to Arsenal made official.

With all of the focus on new additions, no departures have been sanctioned yet, and it is almost guaranteed they will be needed to afford Eze's release clause, which is believed to be £67.5 million, a fee Palace want paid in full.

Reiss Nelson looks set to be the first fringe player to depart Emirates Stadium, with the 25-year-old set for a second loan spell at Fulham. If certain conditions are met, it has been claimed that an obligatory purchase option will become active in that deal.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, Fabio Vieira, Sambi Lokonga and Karl Hein are just a few other names that could be moved on this summer. A marquee sale could also be required, though that currently looks unlikely with Bayern Munich, who had looked at signing Gabriel Martinelli, agreeing a deal for Liverpool's Luis Diaz.

Even if Arsenal are unable to raise funds, Eze's desire to join could prove key and submitting a transfer request would likely move things along.

However, the England international does not come across as someone likely to do that, with his professionalism evidenced by his appearance on the club's pre-season tour, while Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa, both linked to exits from Newcastle United and Brentford, respectively, have opted to not feature.

Palace's first friendly overseas arrives on Tuesday against Bundesliga club Mainz, with the action set to get underway at 1pm. Roughly an hour before kick-off, Palace will confirm their starting XI and the decision on Eze will likely hint at how far along a potential transfer to Arsenal is.

With contact only made between the Gunners and Eze's represen tatives, it seems likely that he will be included. The bigger decision is more likely to be made in 12 days when Palace's 2025/26 campaign starts against Liverpool in the Community Shield.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.