Crystal Palace 'open door' to Arsenal swap deal for Eberechi Eze
An Arsenal player could potentially be used as a ‘make weight’ to get a deal for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze over the line.
Eze, 27, has been the subject of interest from north London rivals Arsenal and Spurs throughout the summer.
As reported by The Standard, the Crystal Palace man’s £68m buyout clause expired on Friday, just two days before the Eagles’ Premier League opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Also on Friday, journalist Fabrizio Romano issued an update on the situation in his GiveMeSport newsletter.
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“Eze is keen on a Spurs move, for sure,” Romano wrote. “The deal depends on the two clubs now, who remain in direct talks.”
The Gunners also remain in the race to sign the playmaker, who is contracted to Palace until the summer of 2028, and they could even be prepared to use one of their own players as part of a potential swap deal which would also involve a fee.
As reported by Caught Offside, Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is of interest to several Premier League clubs, including Everton, Wolves and Crystal Palace as well as Serie A giants AC Milan.
The Eagles may look to strengthen their defence as captain Marc Guehi continues to be linked with Liverpool.
It is feasible that Kiwior could be used as part of a player-plus-cash deal for the Gunners to get a potential move involving Eze over the line.
However, the report also claims that Arsenal are prepared to offer the Polish defender a new deal to keep him at the club, as head coach Mikel Arteta sees him as a versatile player with important assets.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal's Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain back in May, the Gunners boss described Kiwior as "exceptional" after he filled in for the injured Gabriel towards the end of last season.
“He [Kiwior] deserves a lot of credit because he hasn’t played too much throughout many months and suddenly he has been thrown into the most difficult context," Arteta said.
“At the highest level, playing against the best opponents when you haven’t had the physical rhythm or the confidence to do it, and I think he’s been exceptional.”
Crystal Palace ‘identify’ Ebe Eze replacement
On Saturday, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that Palace have “approached” Leicester City to explore a potential move for 21-year-old attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.
The Moroccan, who joined Leicester from Belgian side Genk last summer, made 37 appearances for the Foxes during their 2024/25 relegation campaign and is being considered by several clubs, including Palace. A deal may depend on Eze’s situation but El Khannouss could used to fill the potential void left by the England international's likely exit.
Topics: Football, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Transfer News, Premier League
Luke Davies