‘Eberechi Eze set to stay after major Crystal Palace news in latest blow to Arsenal’
Arsenal have suffered another setback in a dismal transfer window as Eberechi Eze now looks likely to remain with Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta’s team suffered numerous injury setbacks last term, losing Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Bukayo Saka for lengthy periods.
But the North London side still managed to continue pushing their boundaries, reaching their first Champions League semi-final since 2009, and finishing second in the Premier League for a third consecutive season.
The Gunners looked primed for a strong transfer window, and finance expert Dan Plumley told Football Insider exclusively that despite making losses, Arsenal were in a position to spend this summer.
However, despite the need to make additions to their squad, Arteta’s team are still yet to strengthen and news coming out of London rivals Palace suggests they will miss out on another target this window.
Crystal Palace boost Europa League hopes with John Textor sale
The Athletic reported that John Textor has reached an agreement with New York Jets owner Woody Johnson to sell his 43% stake in Palace.
The Eagles are at risk of missing out on competing in the Europa League next season, due to the American businessman’s majority shareholding in the Eagles and French side Lyon.
Both teams qualified for Europe’s second-tier competition last season, and Textor’s majority ownership of Palace and the French team violates UEFA‘s rules on multi-club ownership.
The sale does not guarantee the Eagles will be allowed to compete in the Europa League, and a decision is expected from the European governing body sometime near the end of June.
The news of the sale comes as a major setback to Arsenal’s pursuit of Eze, as revealed to Football Insider by Mick Brown exclusively.
If Palace are allowed to compete in the Europa League, the 26-year-old will likely be much more keen to remain with the South London side.
The Eagles will have a great chance of going far in the competition with Eze as their main man, and with an eye on a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, leaving his current side where he is the star of the show is unlikely to appeal.
Arsenal set to miss out on another target this summer
So close, yet so far, is the story of the Gunners’ transfer window this summer.
Arsenal held a long-standing interest in Matheus Cunha, but the Brazilian has signed with rivals Man United.
The Gunners were also interested in Marc Guehi, but Liverpool are now the front-runners for Palace’s captain, sources told Football Insider exclusively.
The Premier League runners-up are also in the mix for both Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, and whilst both deals remain on the table, Arsenal have suffered setbacks in their pursuit of both forwards.
Sesko wants a low release clause in his deal with Arsenal, while the Sporting CP striker is locked in a dispute with his club over the required fee to seal his exit from Portugal [MailOnline].
Any optimism from the Gunners’ infamously vocal fanbase will be subsiding quickly as those around them strengthen, and with Arteta’s window to win the Premier League seemingly closing quickly, missing out on the game-changing signing of Eze will hardly inspire hope of a first English top-flight title since 2004.