Latest news with #Eze
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Will Arsenal's transfer pursuit of Eberechi Eze spell the end for Gunners star?
Arsenal's summer transfer business is not done yet with Eze Eberechi still firmly on the club's radar. Talks to bring the Crystal Palace star across the capital to north London have slowed somewhat in recent weeks with focus on getting a deal for Viktor Gyokeres over the line and tying Ethan Nwaneri down to a new long-term contract. Even with the signing of Noni Madueke, there is a need for another creative spark in Mikel Arteta side. Martin Odegaard, so often Arsenal's chief creator, endured a difficult 2024-25 campaign after returning from the ankle injury that sidelined him for three months. The club captain's waning influence was an unavoidable factor in another failed title bid and heightened the need for another option if Arsenal are to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool next season. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Eze is coming off an outstanding season in south east London and with a World Cup year ahead of him, faces a huge decision on his club future. Arsenal could be his next destination. Rather than a replacement for Odegaard, Eze could be the perfect alternative. There was fair and legitimate concern for Odegaard last season. Far too often, his performances did not pass the eye test and his numbers compared to the 2023-24 season illustrate concerns that only grew as last season wore on. Eze on the other hand enjoyed his best season to date with Palace. His haul of 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions represented a better return than any Arsenal player in those departments, eclipsing Kai Havertz's haul of nine goals and Bukayo Saka's 10 assists. Eze created 57 chances for his Palace teammates last season, more than Kevin de Bruyne, Luis Diaz, Anthony Gordon and Matheus Cunha among others. Despite his indifferent form however, only seven players created more chanced than Odegaard (57) last season with the skipper also top of Arsenal's charts for that metric, clear of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. While it was a huge drop off from the 102 he created in the 2023-24 season, it is still good enough for a top eight spot across the Premier League. Odegaard has so often been one of Arsenal's cleanest strikers of the ball. While he did rediscover his range against Southampton on the final day of the season, he was too often guilty of passing up the opportunity to test the goalkeeper whether it be from distance or inside the box. A tally of 49 shots with 17 on target (a conversation rate on 6.12 per cent) tells its own story. It is not something that fazes Eze. Only five players attempted more shots on goal than the 26-year-old (101) during the 2024-25 campaign. Whether it can be attributed to Arteta's tactical instructions, Arsenal rank low for shots on goal across the board with Eze's 29 efforts on target last season a better return than anyone in the red half of north London. Eze also ranks high for combined shots and chances created last term with only Bruno Fernandes, Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland averaging higher per 90 than Eze's 5.6. His wonderful long-range strikes against Fulham and Aston Villa in the FA Cup demonstrated his willingness to test the goalkeeper from range – with his winning goal in the final against Manchester City showing how dangerous he is breaking into the box. While Eze's arrival would ease the creative burden on Odegaard and add much-needed goals to the Arsenal midfield, there is another reason why Arteta holds him in such high regard. With so much of Arsenal's game built on structure and discipline, Eze offers somewhat of a release, a flamboyant outlet who brings something different from recent midfielders brought to the club in Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi. Eze also measures high in the defensive metrics that will be most pleasing to the Arsenal boss. The Palace star was successful in 157 ground duels last season, comfortably more than any one in the Arsenal squad. More Trending His possession won stats are also impressive with his tally of 146 only bettered by William Saliba and Declan Rice. While one of the most eye-catching players in the top flight, Eze is not afraid to get his hands dirty. Arsenal have strengthened across the board this summer with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mikkel Damsgaard, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke in place. Valencia centre-half Cristhian Mosquera is also on the way while a deal for Viktor Gyokeres appears to be within touching distance. Arsenal know what they have to do to sign Eze – Palace have stood firm on their £68million release clause and any deal will hinge on the Gunners coughing up that cash. MORE: Myles Lewis-Skelly's priceless reaction as Arsenal close in on Viktor Gyokeres transfer MORE: Diogo Jota's wife shares heartbreaking message on one-month anniversary of their wedding MORE: Chelsea drop asking price by £22m for Manchester United to sign Christopher Nkunku
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Adam Wharton makes major decision on Liverpool transfer as Tottenham look to hijack deal for Crystal Palace star
ADAM WHARTON is ready to put his move to Liverpool on hold for a YEAR. Advertisement 1 Adam Wharton is set to pause his move to Liverpool for a year Credit: Getty But Wharton is happy to stay at Selhurst Park this season — and that makes the Kop favourites to land him. Wharton forced his way into England's Euro 2024 squad after joining Palace do not want to lose Wharton now as they face Marc Guehi and Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Palace, facing huge interest in their players this summer, are sure to demand a huge fee for Wharton who still has more than four years left on his contract. Blackburn are also due a 15 per cent cut of profit over the £18m Palace paid up front for their former academy star 15 months ago. and but Wharton has not played often enough this season to make their interest concrete. Advertisement Most read in Football Mikel Arteta sees him as the 'final piece in the jigsaw' in a new-look line-up that the Spaniard hopes will see the Gunners finally win the Premier League. But Sun Sport recently revealed that Arsenal face a major battle to land Eze in the shape of the German champions. The meteoric rise of England star Adam Wharton Bayern's manager Vincent Kompany wants to reunite Eze with former teammate Bayern have just lost Advertisement
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Eberechi Eze to Arsenal set for talks as Gunner plot move for £68 million Crystal Palace winger
Arsenal are preparing to open talks with Crystal Palace over the potential signing of England international Eberechi Eze, as the club's summer transfer strategy gathers pace. Sources indicate that preliminary discussions have already taken place on the player's side over the past fortnight, involving senior figures within Arsenal's recruitment and football operations teams. Eze, 27, is understood to be open to the move, and personal terms are not expected to present any complications. While Eze has a £68 million release clause in his current contract, Arsenal are expected to engage Palace this week to explore whether a deal could be agreed without activating the full clause. The attacking midfielder netted eight goals and registered eight assists in the Premier League last season and is viewed by Mikel Arteta's side as a central creative option rather than a wide player. Arsenal set to make Eberechi Eze approach but remain keen on stunning trio of talentshttps:// — talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 14, 2025 Arsenal's pursuit of Eze comes alongside the imminent arrival of Noni Madueke from Chelsea. The winger has reportedly passed his medical ahead of a £52 million move and is considered versatile enough to cover both flanks. His arrival is seen as complementary rather than conflicting, as the Gunners look to strengthen centrally with Eze. In addition to Eze, Arsenal retain interest in several high-profile targets. Real Madrid's Rodrygo, Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, and AC Milan's Rafael Leão remain on the club's radar. However, any move for that trio is likely to depend on outgoings, specifically Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli. A deal for Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres is also close to completion, as per veteran sports journalist Fabrizio Romano. 🚨🔴⚪️ Negotiations between Arsenal and Sporting remain ongoing in London with all parties involved. After commission reduced by agent plus €63.5m fee ready, Sporting ask for €10m add-ons to be easy/guaranteed. Arsenal and agents remain in talks to get the final green light. — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2025 The Gunners are expected to pay €63.5 million plus €10 million in add-ons, after a compromise was reached involving a waived agent commission. The final package matches Sporting's valuation while simplifying the transaction. Arsenal have also agreed terms with Valencia for 19-year-old defender Cristhian Mosquera in a deal worth nearly €20 million. The Spain youth international is expected to be officially unveiled soon. These moves follow the arrivals of Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi for £55.8 million and Brentford's Christian Nørgaard, who joined last week in a deal rising to £12 million. Kepa Arrizabalaga was signed from Chelsea for £5 million after a successful loan spell at Bournemouth, where he kept eight clean sheets. With the additions of Madueke, Gyökeres, and Mosquera imminent, Arsenal's summer spending is set to surpass the £200 million mark. Outgoings have been relatively limited. Nuno Tavares has completed a permanent switch to Lazio, while Brazilian winger Marquinhos has joined Cruzeiro for a reported £3 million.
Metro
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Bayern Munich hijack Arsenal's transfer move for £68m star after Musiala injury
Bayern Munich are rivalling Arsenal in the race to sign Crystal Palace and England star Eberechi Eze this summer. Having completed deals for Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Gunners' hierarchy intend to focus their efforts on strengthening Mikel Arteta's attacking options before the transfer deadline. Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres is set to fly to London to complete a medical in the coming days, with Arsenal seeing off strong competition from Manchester United to land the prolific Swede. Noni Madueke is expected to follow Gyokeres through the doors at the Emirates after Arsenal wrapped up an agreement with Chelsea worth over £50million for the winger, despite some scepticism amongst the fanbase. Eze also finds himself at the top of Arsenal's transfer shortlist on the back of an eye-catching season with Palace last term, in which he finished the Premier League campaign with eight goals and eight assists to his name. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The England international is said to be open to the prospect of joining Arsenal to play Champions League football, 14 years after being released by the club as a teenager in the academy. But according to The Sun, Arsenal face the real possibility of missing out on Eze, with Bayern stepping up their interest and ready to go head-to-head for the versatile Palace man. The report claims the Gunners are 'desperate' to lure Eze to north London, but have a 'major battle' on their hands, with the Bundesliga champions posing a significant threat. Bayern have been forced to intensify their search for attacking reinforcements after Jamal Musiala was ruled out for between four and five months with a fibula fracture and dislocated ankle. The German giants also lost Leroy Sane last month, with the winger – a four-time Bundesliga winner – completing a move to Galatasaray after turning down a bumper new contract at the Allianz Arena. Vincent Kompany is said to be keen on the idea of a reunion between Eze and Michael Olise next season and the Belgian has been actively encouraging Bayern bosses to pursue a deal for the former QPR star. Bayern have also been credited with a strong interest in Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku after being beaten to a deal for Florian Wirtz by Liverpool earlier this summer. Palace are in no hurry to part with Eze, though, and have told potential suitors they must pay the FA Cup winner's release clause in full, which could total around £68m after bonuses. Reports last week suggested Arsenal could be prepared to offer Palace a 'promising defender' as a makeweight in any deal to prise Eze away from Selhurst Park. More Trending Eze's current contract with Palace is due to expire in June 2027. After last summer's transfer window slammed shut, Palace chairman Steve Parish said he was 'genuinely astounded' that there wasn't more interest in Eze. 'I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael [Olise] and Ebbs in the same window and we didn't have in Ebbs the interest that I thought we would have,' he told Sky Sports. 'I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy's just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd open surprise transfer talks to sign France midfielder MORE: Chelsea could sell academy graduate against John Terry's wishes MORE: Brentford eyeing up former Chelsea prospect as Bryan Mbeumo replacement
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Arsenal face missing out on Eberechi Eze as European giants go head-to-head with Gunners in transfer race
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BAYERN MUNICH will go head-to-head with Arsenal in the race to sign Eberechi Eze. Arsenal, who are due to announce the signing of Viktor Gyökeres imminently, remain desperate for the Crystal Palace star. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Arsenal will be rivalled by Bayern Munich in the race to sign Eberechi Eze Credit: Getty Mikel Arteta sees him as the 'final piece in the jigsaw' in a new-look line-up that the Spaniard hopes will see the Gunners finally win the Premier League. But Sun Sport can reveal Arsenal face a major battle to land Eze in the shape of the German champions. Bayern's manager Vincent Kompany wants to reunite Eze with former teammate Michael Olise, as he plots an all-out assault on the Champions League. Bayern have just lost Jamal Musiala to a broken leg and dislocated ankle and they have shortlisted Eze as they seek to strengthen their attack. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL VIK-TORY AT LAST Arsenal agree £63.5m Gyokeres move after Sporting star refused to return The German giants missed out on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool. They have also lost both Leroy Sané and Thomas Müller. As a result they are also said to be exploring a deal for out-of-favour Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku. Eze has a £68m release clause and is attracting interest this summer after a stellar season in which he scored the winner for Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The 27-year-old scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists for Palace last season and also netted his first England goal in a 3-0 win over Latvia in March. With Arsenal yet to make an official bid for Eze, Bayern could swoop.
