Sources: Arsenal Hold Positive Talks for ‘Elite’ Forward With Striker and Winger

Arsenal are exploring a move for Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, as GIVEMESPORT revealed last week.

The Gunners' interest in the versatile 27-year-old stems from his ability to play as both an attacking midfielder and out wide, but is not in place of other left-wing targets.

GMS sources understand that Arsenal held positive talks with Eze’s camp over the weekend with senior recruitment and football figures present. Eze is understood to be keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal Hold 'Positive' Talks for Eze

Playmaker keen to move to Emirates

The England international, who has been described as a "elite", got 14 goals and 11 assists for Palace last season and has a £68m release clause, payable in instalments. However, Arsenal value Eze at below this number. There has been no bid to date, but Arsenal’s interest is serious and advancing.

Spurs also appreciate Eze, but are not currently working on a deal, having decided to explore other targets last week. West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus is their main focus.

Kudus has an £85m release clause for Premier League clubs, but Spurs believe a deal might be possible around the £60m due to the Hammers need to sell.

Arsenal are also looking at both left and right wing targets. Chelsea’s Noni Madueke is high in their thinking, although no bid has been placed to date.

Madueke is valued by Enzo Maresca, and focused on the Club World Cup. Chelsea paid PSV £29m and would be looking to make at least a £15m profit to entertain a sale.

Eze and Madueke Stats 2024/25 Compared Stat Eze Madueke Games 31(3) 27(5) Minutes 2604 2049 Goals 8 7 Assists 8 3

Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Newcastle’s Antony Gordon are two left-wing targets. Both comes with their challenges. Rodrygo is yet to decide whether he wants to leave Real, but the LaLiga giants are willing to sanction a sale for around €90m. The advantage of Rodrygo is he wants to play on the left side but has been utilised on the right at Real, where he is also comfortable.

Newcastle don’t wish to sell Gordon, who is also appreciated by Liverpool.

Arsenal had also discussed Jamie Gittens prior to his £55m switch to Chelsea from Dortmund, although talks were never concrete.

Arsenal Set for Busy July

Three deals imminent and striker a priority

Arsenal are in for a busy July. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielders Christian Noorgard and Martin Zubimendi are all incoming.

Talks for Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera are ongoing with Arsenal optimistic on agreeing a fee in the region of €20m (£17m). However, there remains some caution as Valencia are also trying to get Mosquera to extend his contract.

GIVEMESPORT Key statistic: Kepa Arrizabalaga will be the seventh goalkeeper Mikel Arteta has signed for Arsenal since he became manager, after Runar Alex Runarsson, Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Ryan, David Raya, Matt Turner and Neto.

And a new number nine will arrive before the window shuts. Andrea Berta has advanced talks for both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres. Both players would welcome a move to Arsenal, but key to either is getting the fee down to around €70m. Ollie Watkins also remains a target.

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All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 01/07/2025.

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