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Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze as they continue a hive of recent activity in the summer transfer window.
Eze, 27, has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park this summer after helping the Eagles to their first-ever major trophy last season as he scored the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
The Gunners appear to be the team most keen to land him but their north London rivals Tottenham, and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, could also be possible destinations for the midfielder.
Mikel Arteta's side are yet to submit an official bid for the player but appear braced to do so as pre-season for the 2025-26 campaign draws ever closer.
However, their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, which could end up costing Arsenal £70million should the transfer go through, means they may have to balance their books with a big-money sale.
As a result, they are reportedly looking at a way to finance a deal for Eze without needing to let another player go.
Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze
Mikel Arteta's side are yet to submit an official bid for the player but appear braced to do so as pre-season for the 2025-26 campaign draws ever closer
The Gunners are also in talks with Sporting CP over the signing of Viktor Gyokeres
According to The Independent, Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta entered the window with the budget for a midfielder and a striker.
With Martin Zubimendi having been signed for £60million from Real Sociedad in a deal that was announced on Sunday, the north Londoners may not have the budget for Eze if they were to sign Gyokeres.
Like all Premier League clubs, they must comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) throughout each transfer window.
As a result, they are exploring the possibility of being able to pay Eze's release clause, which sits at £60million, in three instalments of £20million to meet Crystal Palace's demands.
Spreading transfer costs in instalments has become increasingly common since PSR rules were introduced.
Indeed, the Gunners paid over the odds for Zubimendi to enable them to be able to space out the cost of his transfer.
They opted to do so given transfer regulations in LaLiga, which mean that any player's release clause must be paid in one lump sum to its head offices in Madrid.
Zubimendi, 26, has signed a five-year deal with the Gunners, who were able to beat Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City to his signature.
Arsenal are looking to spread the cost of a potential move for Eze in the same way they did for Martin Zubimendi
Zubimendi, 26, signed a five-year deal with the Gunners in what marks their first significant spending of the summer
The Spanish international has long been courted by Mikel Arteta's side, who have now finally managed to land one of their key targets.
Arsenal confirmed the signing of Zubimendi in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday afternoon, adding that he will wear the number 36 shirt.
The Spaniard made 180 appearances in LaLiga for Real Sociedad after coming through their academy setup and has 18 caps for the Spanish national team.
His arrival in north London will see him reunite with Mikel Merino, who also left the Basque Country for the Emirates Stadium last summer.
