Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been warned he could be replaced by Mikel Arteta’s £68m transfer target Eberechi Eze.
The Gunners are interested in signing England international Eze from Crystal Palace before the summer transfer window closes.
Eze has been one of the most exciting players in the Premier League in recent years and helped Palace win the FA Cup last season.
The 27-year-old has earned 11 caps for England since making his international debut in 2023 and featured for the Three Lions at last summer’s Euros.
While Arsenal want to sign Eze, who has a £68m release clause which expires on Friday, they face competition from north London rivals Tottenham, who have also expressed interest in a deal.
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Speaking after Crystal Palace won the Community Shield on Sunday, Steve Parish gave interested parties hope of signing Eze and Marc Guehi, who is closing in on a move to Liverpool.
Ex-England striker and Arsenal fan Darren Bent hopes the Gunners secure a deal and says Eze should favour a move to the red half of north London.
‘I’m shocked he’s still at Crystal Palace if I’m honest,’ Bent said on talkSPORT. ‘He is such a talented footballer and he’s great to watch.
‘You would think there would be more clubs interested in him given his release clause. I’m hoping this gives Arsenal the kick they need to go and get him.
‘If you’re looking at Arsenal and Tottenham, yes Spurs won a trophy last season and are in the Champions League, but they finished fourth from bottom last year.
‘In my opinion Arsenal are in a better place to move forward.’
Eze would likely replace Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on Arsenal’s left wing but Bent says he could also play as a ten ahead of Odegaard.
Not so long ago Odegaard was Arsenal’s most important player but he endured a poor 2024-25 campaign, with Bent insisting his form was ‘not good enough’.
‘With Odegaard, he’s got to look himself in the mirror,’ Bent added. ‘I’m a big fan of his and I’ve sat on this show before and argued the case that he’s as good as Bruno Fernandes.
‘Last season there was no argument, Bruno was head and shoulders above him. I don’t know what’s happened since the ankle injury but he just hasn’t looked the same.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on Eberechi Eze transfer rumours
Asked directly about Eze in a news conference before Wednesday’s Uefa Super Cup against Paris St-Germain, Frank said: ‘I think there are a lot of good players out there.
‘There are also a few from the PSG team but I don’t think we can buy them right now.
‘In general, players in or players out, I always speaking about something that is done or not done. In general, I will speak about my own players.’
‘Even in pre-season he hasn’t looked anywhere near the Odegaard we saw a couple of years ago. Six goals in all comps last season and 11 assists, it wasn’t good enough for him, not good enough at all.
‘Ethan Nwaneri could be the natural successor. Otherwise you’re scratching around and wondering who could play in that position.
‘I think if Arsenal were to go and sign Eze from Crystal Palace, then you’ve got an option there because he can play No. 10 or he can play off the left.
‘That will put Odegaard under more pressure because at the minute he’s the captain but he’s not really being challenged or pushed, he’s almost coasting through games at the minute.
‘He has to start the season well. Something’s happened with him, I don’t know if it’s still the injury or something else, but he’s got to get back to the Odegaard we know.’
Arsenal, who face Manchester United on Sunday in their Premier League opener, could look to offload Trossard, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira before going for Eze.
With Eze contracted to Crystal Palace until the summer of 2027, the Eagles will demand around £68m to sell even after his buy-out clause expires.
Signing Eze would take Arsenal’s summer spending beyond £250m, with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke joining Arteta’s squad.
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