Arsenal now want to add first-team player as makeweight to sign London-born ‘incredible striker’

Arsenal are now open to including a first-team player in a summer transfer deal for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, according to the Sun.

The Gunners have agreed on personal terms with the England international, but the Eagles are holding out for his £68 million release clause before selling him.

However, Palace might consider accepting a promising defender from Arsenal as part of a deal, and while the player being considered as a makeweight in the deal is unknown, The Sun claims he is an emerging star who has already played a handful of games for the first-team.

Palace are thin at the back heading into pre-season due to injuries and they could sell Marc Guehi, and selling Eze in exchange for cash and a young defender from the Gunners could appeal to them.

The North London club want the London-born 27-year-old this summer, and his versatility appeals to manager Mikel Arteta as he can play across the forward positions.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was blown away with his display against his side back in March 2023, dubbing him an ‘incredible striker’ after the game, and Arsenal could do with him in the final third.

Eze has 34 goals and 23 assists in 146 Premier League appearances for Palace, and his qualities and style of play could see him become prolific in the Gunners’ colours if a deal gets over the line in the coming weeks.

They remain in the market for a number 9, and it is believed that they are closing in on a move for Sporting CP hitman Viktor Gyokeres, but Arteta will not hesitate to deploy Eze as a striker if the Swede (when signed) or his other options are unavailable due to a reason or the other.

He has turned Kai Havertz into a number 9, while Mikel Merino featured in the position last term in the absence of the German and Jesus Gabriel, and not many will be surprised should he continue using makeshift strikers if need be.

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