Arsenal are set to approach Crystal Palace to discuss a deal for Eberechi Eze, talkSPORT understands.
Discussions have taken place over the past two weeks on the player side, with senior figures in the Gunners’ recruitment and football department present.
Eze has indicated he is keen on the move, and personal terms are not thought to be an issue should Arsenal decide to proceed.
He has a £68million release clause and the north Londoners plan to speak with Crystal Palace, potentially as early as this week, to understand whether a deal might be possible without triggering it.
The 27-year-old scored eight goals and got eight assists for the Eagles in the Premier League last season and is viewed by Arsenal as a central attacker.
Any pursuit of Eze is not influenced by Noni Madueke’s imminent arrival.
The England winger has passed his medical ahead of a £52m switch from Chelsea.
Madueke is viewed as both competition for Bukayo Saka and capable of playing on the left side.
His versatility means Arsenal will now turn their attention to a more central playmaker.
Arsenal still hold a genuine interest in Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, Newcastle’s Antony Gordon and Milan’s Rafael Leão, but a move for any of the left-sided trio will require either Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli to depart.
As talkSPORT revealed, Arsenal will pay €63.5m and a further €10m in add-ons, with a breakthrough coming after Gyökeres’ agents waived a 10 per cent commission payable by Sporting.
It means the Portuguese club get the same take-home fixed fee as their original €70m asking price, which was formulated on the presumption of having to pay the commission.
Arsenal are also set to sign Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera after agreeing a package close to €20m.
It means their total spend this window is already set to pass £200m with further signings to come.
The club have already signed Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for £5m after a fine spell on loan at Bournemouth last season.
He kept eight clean sheets in 2024/25 and will rival David Raya at the Emirates.
The Gunners also completed a £55.8m move for Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Meanwhile, Christian Norgaard arrived from Brentford last week for a deal that could rise to £12m.
In terms of outgoing, Arsenal have only completed the sales of Nuno Tavares, who joins Lazio permanently, while winger Marquinhos returns to Brazil with Cruzeiro for £3m.
Talksport.com
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