Eberechi Eze to Arsenal transfer boost as Mikel Arteta can repeat £160m masterplan

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Arsenal have been handed a dream Eberechi Eze transfer update with Crystal Palace's terms to sanction an exit changing. The 26-year-old was exceptional for the final few months of the 2024/25 season, and was key to their stunning FA Cup triumph.

Alongside four goal contributions in the last three rounds of that competition, with one of those the winner, Eze also scored six goals in eight Premier League appearances to help the Eagles finish 12th.

Despite a bottom-half finish, and concerns over the club's ownership, Palace will play in the Europa League next season having won the first major honour in the club's history.

Eze may well want to be part of a historic campaign for Palace, but his ambitions could go further than that with Tottenham and Arsenal, both in the Champions League, keepings tabs on his situation.

Despite back-to-back campaigns hitting double-figures for goals, there's minimal interest in his services. That may be because to get the very best out of him, a back=five system with two roaming No.10s is required and not many teams deploy that.

Since the arrival of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United line up that particular way, but they've already confirmed the signing of Matheus Cunha with the likely aim being to play him in Eze's position.

Despite his nationality, a triple-figure demand has not been set by Palace with the release clause in his contract being £68million. To make a potential deal even more appealing, £8million of that value is available through add-ons and just recently another financial incentive emerged.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has stated, via TBR Football, that Palace owner Steve Parish is open to his release clause being paid in instalments. It has been specifically stated in the report that the Eagles want between £25million to £30million as the initial fee and then £30million to £35million paid over two instalments.

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have history with that method after agreeing a £105million deal to sign Declan Rice from West Ham. Nearly the full value of that fee will be with the Hammers, now, as the two parties agreed for payment to be made using instalments which meant funds were available to sign Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber as well.

That masterplan looks set to be repeated this summer with Martin Zubimendi set to arrive as the club's first summer signing in a deal worth £55million (€65m) - despite the fact his release clause is less than that value.

Paying over it means that instalments can, yet again, be used which will give Arsenal much more financial freedom for other incomings.

In addition to Zubimendi, Arteta wants to sign a striker, defender, wide forward and back-up goalkeeper. The latter looks set to be Kepa Arrizabalaga while a decision must be made on Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko.

The Gunners look set to face stumbling blocks for their top two wingers with dream target Nico Williams set to join Barcelona while both a big transfer fee and wage package will be needed to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid.

Eze is perfectly capable of playing in that role, as he has evidenced when playing for England, due to his versatility. While his preference is to play as a No.8, he would a more than capable option, and a top addition for the Gunners.

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