Arsenal are edging closer to finalizing their seventh major signing of the summer after reportedly striking a full agreement to bring in Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. The North London side is preparing an official bid that could include triggering the attacking midfielder’s £60 million release clause, with potential add-ons reaching up to £8 million.
This development represents another major statement of intent from Mikel Arteta’s side, who have been among the most active Premier League clubs in the current transfer window. Having already completed deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera, and Noni Madueke, Arsenal’s recruitment drive is showing no signs of slowing down.
Eze, who has long been admired for his creativity and technical flair, is seen as a tailor-made solution to a recurring tactical issue at the Emirates. Arteta has been seeking an attacker capable of unlocking rigid defensive structures—a task Eze excels at with his dribbling, vision, and close control in tight spaces.
Sources from Sports Zone confirm that the Gunners have reached a full agreement with the 27-year-old England international, and that Arsenal is now “about to bid” officially. Whether they go for a direct activation of the release clause or attempt to negotiate a structured deal remains to be seen. Either way, the move could be completed in a matter of weeks, pending final negotiations and potential squad outgoings.
Well-respected Arsenal journalist Charles Watts recently indicated that while the club is still in the market for attacking reinforcements, there is also a focus on offloading fringe players. Among those potentially on the chopping block are Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson, and even Oleksandr Zinchenko, as the club seeks to streamline its squad ahead of the new season.
Watts emphasized that after confirming the deal for Viktor Gyokeres, the focus would inevitably shift toward departures to free up both squad space and wage capacity. Yet he remained confident that one more attacking signing—likely Eze—was very much on the cards.
The acquisition of Eze would also bolster Arsenal’s depth across multiple forward positions. Although he typically operates on the left flank or in a central role behind the striker, Eze’s versatility would allow Arteta to rotate him with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe, and even Bukayo Saka, depending on the match situation and opposition tactics.
Former Arsenal legend Paul Merson has already endorsed the move, stating on Sky Sports that Eze “has the X-factor” and would be “an excellent signing.” Merson elaborated that Eze’s ability to break down deep, compact defenses would be a valuable asset for a side that often finds itself frustrated against low blocks at the Emirates.
“Teams come to the Emirates to defend deep and frustrate Arsenal,” Merson said. “What you need in those situations is a player like Eze who can do something special, beat a man, create a gap, or produce a moment of brilliance. Arsenal lack that unpredictability at times, and Eze gives you exactly that.”
There is also some debate about whether Eze’s arrival could affect the first-team integration of young sensation Ethan Nwaneri, who recently signed a long-term contract. However, experts believe the two players serve different roles, with Nwaneri primarily being used as a right-sided attacker or central creator in the mould of Martin Ødegaard, while Eze is better suited for left-sided roles or as a floating number 10.
Arteta, known for his tactical clarity and detailed planning, appears to have identified Eze as a missing piece in his puzzle—a player capable of combining flair with end product. If this deal is completed, it would mark another major coup for a manager who has systematically reshaped the Arsenal squad over the past few transfer windows.
While fans will be eager to see Eze don the red and white jersey, patience may be required. Finalizing the deal could take a few more weeks due to negotiations with Crystal Palace and the need for Arsenal to resolve their outgoing transfers. But all signs suggest that the North London club is in a strong position to get their man.
As Arsenal prepares for the new Premier League campaign with Champions League football on the horizon, Eze’s potential arrival could be the final flourish in what has already been a thrilling summer. If signed, he would bring not just flair and finesse, but also the kind of match-winning magic that could define crucial moments in a title race.
