Arsenal are in the market for a new attacking midfielder this summer, and Eberechi Eze appears the most likely addition in this department.
Martin Odegaard struggled at times last season, while Ethan Nwaneri is still raw and developing as a central playmaker.
Thus, Andrea Berta has identified midfield creativity as an issue in the Gunners’ squad that needs addressing and has begun pursuing a deal for Crystal Palace’s talisman.
Arsenal were handed a boost with their move for Eze after Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League, with this potentially prompting the 27-year-old to push for a Selhurst Park exit this summer.
Arsenal transfer target Eberechi Eze left out of Crystal Palace kit launch
Eze has a release clause worth £68 million, although Arsenal are reportedly looking to secure a deal for the player below this value.
The Gunners could weaponise the England international’s desire to leave in their negotiations with Palace, and the UEFA ruling about the Eagles’ status in European competition will no doubt help the North Londoners.
That said, Arsenal have just been handed an even more promising boost after the South London club dropped a significant hint that Eze is on his way out.
Palace have launched their new home kit, releasing a promotional video, along with several photographs of members of Oliver Glasner’s squad modelling the jersey.
Eze was not one of those pictured in the new strip, with the Arsenal transfer target nowhere to be seen in any of the promotional content.
Usually a staple in Palace’s team and their branding, this omission almost certainly confirms that the 26-year-old is the subject of serious interest and is very likely to be plying his trade away from South London next season.
The likes of Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton, both of whom have been linked with moves away from Selhurst Park, were front and centre of the kit modelling, yet Eze was nowhere to be seen, fuelling speculation that the former Hale End academy star is on his way back to N5.
Real Sociedad dropped similar hints with Martin Zubimendi before Arsenal transfer
While it’s possible that Eze was preoccupied with something else on the day of the photoshoot, the optics of the omission certainly aren’t positive from a Palace perspective.
With the other core members of the Palace squad all modelling the new kit, Eze’s absence is certainly significant.
Real Sociedad dropped similar hints with Martin Zubimendi before his transfer to Arsenal, leaving their midfield maestro out of their branding for the pre-season tour of Japan.
The Basque club had known for some time that Zubimendi wouldn’t be taking part in this tour and subsequently opted not to include him in the promotion of it.
Palace may well have done the exact same with Eze, aware that he may well never wear the new kit because of an imminent move away from South London.
It’s starting to look like a move to Islington is inevitable for Palace’s most important attacking player.
from Arsenal Transfer News | Rumours, Deals & Targets | Arsenal Insider
Alfie Cairns Culshaw