Arsenal could sell first-team star to Crystal Palace to ensure Eberechi Eze deal goes smoothly

Arsenal could offer a player to Crystal Palace in order to ensure their move for Eberechi Eze goes through without issues.

Eze, 27, looks set to become an Arsenal player despite being heavily linked with Spurs in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that Arsenal had “agreed a deal in principle” with Eze concerning a transfer thought to be worth around £68m.

The England international, by his own admission, was a Gunners fan as a child and revealed how he loved watching Thierry Henry in his formative years.

“I just supported them from [a] young [age], the way they play… I played with them when I was younger as well,” Eze said during an interview with Alessandro Morolli-Schiavone back in 2018.

“When I was younger, I used to love Thierry Henry, and that’s sort of why I decided to sign there… obviously to play for the club you support, that’s what I wanted to do… I’ve grown a love for the team.”

Eberechi Eze in action for Crystal Palace (Credit:Getty)

However, as things stand, Eze is still contracted to Crystal Palace, which will likely change in the coming days.

Eze will become the Gunners’ seventh signing of the summer - with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres having arrived earlier in the window - upon the completion of his switch.

But the north London club may even offer one of their own players in a reported separate deal to ensure the Eze transfer runs smoothly.

According to the Independent, Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior could move to Palace and would be a welcome addition on the currently bare left side of Oliver Glasner's defence, which would be further depleted if captain Marc Guehi leaves for Liverpool this summer.

GiveMeSport reported on Wednesday that Portuguese side Porto are keen on the 25-year-old, but sources indicated that his reported £58,000 per week salary could be a sticking point in negotiations.

Jakub Kiwior could leave Arsenal (Credit:Getty)

Last week, Caught Offside reported that Kiwior was also of interest to several Premier League clubs, including Everton and Wolves as well as Serie A giants AC Milan.

Mikel Arteta is said to value the Poland international as a squad player, with the decision on his future thought to hang on whether the player himself wants to leave.

The Pole, who is contracted to Arsenal until 2028, filled in when first-choice centre-back Gabriel was out injured towards the end of the 2024/25 season and played in the Champions League clashes against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.