‘Arsenal would love to have Eberechi Eze in their team – he’s worth his weight in gold’
Arsenal are plotting a big-money move to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Mikel Arteta wants to add more “X-factor” to his squad.
Eze has a release clause worth £60million in his contract at Selhurst Park and the Eagles are unwilling to let him leave for anything less than that price.
Arsenal have identified their midfield as a key area for improvement, while he is also capable of playing on the left-hand side to provide an alternative to Gabriel Martinelli.
This comes as injuries to Martinelli and Bukayo Saka saw Arteta’s side limited in their creative abilities and in need of a “difference-maker”.
However, Brown explained the 26-year-old will have to remain consistent for the rest of the season to prove he is capable of making the step up.
Arsenal to make Eberechi Eze move after Tottenham latest
Arsenal are not the only side interested in the midfielder, as Brown told Football Insider that Eze is open to joining Tottenham should they opt to make a move.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Arsenal would benefit from adding a player like Eze to their midfield.
“Eze is a player who every team would love to have,” he told Football Insider.
“He can change a game by himself, he can produce a bit of magic and create something out of nothing, and there aren’t many players who can do that.
“But when he’s not doing that, he can become a passenger and fade out of games.
“If you can get the ball to him in the right position, he can find a pass or a shot and win you a game.
“Those type of players are worth their weight in gold, so that £60million release clause is one I think will have a lot of teams interested – including Arsenal.
“Arsenal don’t have too many players capable of doing what Eze does.
“They’ve got Declan Rice, who is an all-action midfield player, and Odegaard who is a creator, but Eze would fit in well and give them a bit of X-factor.
“The injuries to players like Saka and Martinelli showed their lack of creative options and strength in depth.
“Eze is a player who would give them something different and make up for that, plus he can play out wide as well as through the middle.
“But he’s got to show a bit more week in, week out to convince them to spend £60million on him.
“If he can do that, though, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them make that move.”
Mikel Arteta eyes £85million Viktor Gyokeres move
Alongside the addition of a new creative player this summer, Arsenal are also focusing on bringing a new first-choice striker to the Emirates.
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with several top clubs over the past few months following his outstanding performances in the Portuguese capital.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 5 April that Arsenal have the financial capability to sign Gyokeres, who has an £85million release clause in his contract.
Manchester United are also keen on Gyokeres after he previously played under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP before the latter moved to Old Trafford in November last year.
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