Rodrygo alternative, £68m bid, Sesko dilemma - Final Eberechi Eze to Arsenal transfer verdict

Arsenal have added Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze to their list of potential left wing options, it has been claimed.

Eze, who is set to turn 27 on Sunday, enjoyed a fine second-half of the season with Crystal Palace. In fact, the England international netted nine goals and provided three assists in 13 appearances after the March international break as the Eagles won the FA Cup to secure qualification for the Europa League, although their place in the competition is still in doubt, and ended their Premier League campaign on a high.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal have held talks with Eze about a potential move. The former QPR man has a £68million release clause in his Palace contract and is a considered a more realistic option than Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who is said to be available for a more expensive £77m this summer.

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Tottenham also want Eze as Thomas Frank tries to reshape his squad after replacing Ange Postecoglou as their new head coach. But Arsenal have now re-ignited their interested and might be tempted to make an opening offer.

With this in mind, our football.london writers have taken a look at whether Arsenal should sign Eze or opt for someone else, such as Rodrygo or Nico Williams...

Kieran King

Last summer,I thought that Arsenal should have signed Eberechi Eze. He had come off the back of a sensational end to the season with Crystal Palace - a run that helped him secure a place in the England squad for Euro 2024.

I felt as though Arsenal were missing another creative attacking midfielder to help get them over the line and win the Premier League. The Gunners chose against signing Eze - or even someone in the same mould - and they ended up falling further back, finishing 10 points behind eventual title winners Liverpool.

I would argue that Arsenal have regressed since 2023/24 when they pushed Manchester City to the final day of the season, but bringing in a real first-class No.10 could take them back to where they were.

Therefore, Arsenal should sign Eze and another centre forward this summer. I believe if they can get the Palace man and Benjamin Sesko, then the Gunners are the favourites to win the Premier League.

Matt Abbott

Arsenal have targeted players with release clauses as of late, and the existence of a £68 million one in Eberechi Eze's contract could be key. Rafael Leao's is as high as £145m (€170m) while Rodrygo's is €1billion for comparison.

Milan and Real Madrid would assumedly allow those pair to leave for less than that price, but not having to negotiate a deal for Eze could be beneficial. Discussions over signing Benjamin Sesko show how tough talks can be.

If the Gunners end up spending extra on the striker, a cheaper option in the England international could appeal. His compatriot Anthony Gordon would also seemingly cost more.

The value buy would be Eze, especially if Palace are banned from the Europa League next season. Returning to the club where the player started his career before being released at 13 would surely be welcome for all parties.

Josh Holland

There aren't many players who do what Eze does that would be open to a switch to Arsenal. His performances for Palace have been superb but I'm not entirely convinced that he's what the Gunners need right now.

Yes, he can play on the left, but he's better in the No.10 position. You don't pay £68m for a player to shoehorn him in out of position. Unless Arteta is visualising a way to have a midfield three of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Eze, I don't see how they get the best out of him.

The fee is also a big one and that money would be much better suited going on Benjamin Sesko. A new left winger, like Rodrygo, is more of a priority. However, that doesn't mean Arsenal shouldn't look at Eze, but their priority has to be elsewhere.

Isaac Seelochan

Eze would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal. They need someone for that left-wing position and he fits the bill.

Personally, I think Nico Williams would have been a better option, but he looks set to join Barcelona now. The Gunners' attack became more predictable last season, even when everyone was fit, and Eze can offer that added X-factor to their forward line, which they need.

With Martín Zubimendi also set to join and potentially either Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres, the addition of Eze on top of those signings should put Arsenal much closer to Liverpool next season.

Tom Coley

Eze is a terrific player. He deserves the chance to thrive at a team at the top of European football and competing for the league. Arsenal would suit him down to the ground.

He fits their profile and is completely versatile. He can operate from the left and centrally which provides added depth and quality in two areas that have been seriously lacking in recent years.

Gabriel Martinelli would have his work cut out to keep Eze from taking his position. Although they are very different stylistically, Eze has Premier League experience that makes him ripe for coming in and being a real asset straight away.