Arsenal considering including player as part of bid to land £68m-rated Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace

According to The Sun, the Gunners are keen to present a compelling package that could convince Palace to soften their firm stance on the player’s £68 million ($92m) release clause. Discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, and Arsenal believe a promising young defender from their squad might help bridge the gap in negotiations.

Eze is open to a transfer to Arsenal and has remained in top condition during the off-season as he anticipates a potential move. While Palace remain adamant that any transfer must meet the full terms of his buyout clause, there is cautious optimism that the addition of a talented prospect in exchange could sway their position. While the identity of the player remains undisclosed, sources indicate he is a highly-regarded academy graduate who has made limited appearances for the first team but is held in high regard within the club.

Palace could be tempted by the inclusion of a defensive reinforcement, especially as they brace for the potential departure of Marc Guehi. Both Liverpool and Newcastle United have shown strong interest in the England centre-back, and Palace are already lining up Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande as a possible replacement. Moreover, an untimely ACL injury to Chadi Riad, who joined from Real Betis last summer, will see him miss the start of the upcoming campaign.

Despite growing speculation about his future, Eze has made it clear behind the scenes that he intends to handle any departure with class and respect. The playmaker, who still has two years remaining on his contract, is reluctant to force a move that would damage his legacy at Selhurst Park.

He has paid close attention to how former teammate Michael Olise approached his own transfer saga amid interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich, and hopes to follow a similarly dignified path. He has earned immense admiration from Palace fans, especially after his iconic goal in the FA Cup final that brought the club their first major trophy in decades and is determined to preserve his relationship with the supporters.

From Arsenal’s perspective, Eze could be the creative catalyst needed to support their title challenge next season. Mikel Arteta is eager to add more unpredictability to his attacking patterns, and Eze’s dribbling, vision, and set-piece ability could provide precisely that. As talks progress, all eyes will be on whether Palace are willing to entertain a player-plus-cash offer. While the Eagles remain firm on their financial demands, the inclusion of a suitable defensive prospect could tip the scales.