Eberechi Eze is a wanted man this summer. The Crystal Palace star impressed last season and his sensational form for the Eagles has led to reports linking the 25-year-old away from Selhurst Park.
Having moved to Palace from Queens Park Rangers in August 2020, it has taken time for Eze to be appreciated in the Premier League but his talent is undeniable. Alongside Michael Olise, the Englishman is the main man in south London and his 11 goals and six assists in 31 appearances last campaign was his best return in a Palace shirt.
Eze reportedly has a £60million release clause in his contract, with Arsenal named as one of the clubs interested in signing the attacking midfielder. football.london understands Edu and Mikel Arteta are keen on improving the Gunners squad this summer, with a central midfielder and versatile forward among the positions being looked at.
Nico Williams is another being considered by the Gunners hierarchy, although a move for Eze may be easier given Williams is also attracting the attention of Chelsea and Barcelona.
Interestingly, Eze already has previous links with the Gunners as well. The Greenwich-born star was a part of Arsenal’s youth academy in 2006, progressing and developing his game over the next five years before ultimately being released by the club.
“Started off at Arsenal, I think I was eight,” Eze previously said. “I got released when I was 13. I went to Fulham. From there I went to Reading. Then got released from there.
“Bare rejections. A lot of rejections. Then went to Millwall having to then try and prove yourself again, which is difficult. It didn’t work out and I got released from there.
“Arsenal was probably the hardest. My dream was to play for them. Hearing them say ‘no’ at 13 was tough. I remember training after I got released and I couldn’t focus because I was crying. But it helped me so much in all the other rejections because, if I can get through Arsenal releasing me, then I can get through any other team releasing me.”
Eze grew up supporting and loving Arsenal and, although 12 years have passed since he was released from the club, it’s interesting he has previously said it was his dream to play for the Gunners. He has even admitted that it was watching the north Londoners which first got him into the sport.
Asked about the game that made him fall in love, he told Football Focus: “Arsenal game when I was younger. When they were away in the maroon kit. Henry was playing. Van Persie as well.
“I was like this is what I want to be doing. This is where I want to be. Just seeing the energy in that place, it was just everything.”
Eze is currently with the England squad out in Germany at Euro 2024 so a deal is unlikely to materialise while the Three Lions remain in the competition. Olise also appears to be off to Bayern Munich and it remains to be seen if Palace will let go of their two star players in the same window. Arsenal, though, know of Eze’s release clause so this remains firmly one to watch.
