EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal explore Eberechi Eze swap deal

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal are set to step up their talks with Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze.

As previously reported, the Gunners are not willing to wait forever for Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo to make a decision on his future and are now instead prioritising a move for Eze as a potential option for the left wing.

There is still some hope of a positive response from Rodrygo’s camp, but this would not deter Arsenal from pursuing Eze. That said, signing both would undoubtedly require sales. A broad, informal agreement on contract terms with Eze has been reached.

Negotiations with Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are set to be more complicated, with the Eagles keen to retain their best players. Eze has a release clause worth between €70 million and €80m, and Arsenal would ideally like to pay less.

Intriguingly, sources have informed us that both Arsenal and Crystal Palace are willing to discuss a player-plus-cash deal, although any Gunners star moving to Selhurst Park would do so in a separate move for accounting reasons.

Three players being considered

We are told that the names of three players have so far come up with regard to a potential transfer to Crystal Palace. We understand that Oliver Glasner is an admirer of Leandro Trossard and that he is someone the Eagles would be open to signing as part of the Eze deal.

Arsenal remain in contract talks with the Belgian, but given that his current terms expire next year, moving him on this summer could be a shrewd decision.

Additionally, we hear that Arsenal have approached Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira to gauge their interest in a potential move to Crystal Palace. FootballTransfers previously revealed that Nelson is expected to be on the move and that Bournemouth have held talks over a deal.

As for Vieira, he is of interest to Nottingham Forest. This should come as no surprise as former Arsenal sporting director Edu is now in charge of the operations of Evangelos Marinakis’ budding footballing empire.

Mikel Arteta remains a fan of Vieira, but competition for places will be fierce, and the fact that he was sent out on loan to Porto last term suggests that he won’t be a regular next season. As such, Edu is said to view Vieira as a potential market opportunity for Forest.

It remains to be seen if any Arsenal player will head to Selhurst Park this summer, but Arsenal are planning to really ramp up their talks for Eze after sealing deals for Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera.

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