Eberechi Eze’s preferred club has been revealed after Liverpool entered the race to sign the top Arsenal target.
The England international has emerged as a hugely attractive player this summer following an incredible season for Crystal Palace.
He produced 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances, including the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City which secured the club’s first ever major trophy.
Both Manchester United and Tottenham had long-standing interest in the attacking midfielder but have pulled out of the race to focus on other targets, namely Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Mohammed Kudus.
That has cleared the way for Arsenal to swoop in and sign up Eze, who was released from the Hale End Academy at the age of 13.
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However, as the Independent report, there are two major obstacles in the Gunners’ way.
Firstly, Palace insist that their talisman will not be sold for anything less than his £68million release clause – £60m up front and the rest in add-ons.
Arsenal have it in their budget to make two massive signings and a number of small purchases like Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard.
With Martin Zubimendi and a new striker – very likely to be Viktor Gyokeres – their marquee signings, Mikel Arteta will need to sell off some players first before he can think about Eze.
Moreover, personal terms have been agreed with Noni Madueke and with Chelsea wanting £50m for the winger, a deal for the Eagles star becomes even trickier.
Secondly, it is said that Liverpool are now considering whether to make a move for Eze having kept tabs on him for a while.
The Reds have already spent close to £200m this summer, over half of which on attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, and are also very interested in signing Palace captain and centre-back Marc Guehi.
No club has made a ‘concrete approach’ to Palace yet, but the good news for Arsenal is that Eze’s preference is reportedly to join the Emirates should he leave Selhurst Park this summer.
The Gunners are also working on a proposal that would see them pay the release clause in three £20m instalments, which would negate the need to make a major sale.
It remains to be seen how Eze would fit in Arteta’s team given his best position is in attacking midfield which is currently occupied by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
He can be deployed on the left-flank but would face competition from Gabriel Martinelli and Madueke, should he complete the transfer.
If he were to move to Anfield, his first match in red could see take on his former club with Liverpool facing Palace in the Community Shield on August 10.
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