Eberechi Eze celebrates with his Crystal Palace teammates (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Arsenal are closer to reaching an agreement with Crystal Palace over the payment structure for the transfer of Eberechi Eze, CaughtOffside understands.
The Gunners have increased their efforts to win the race for Eze’s signature amid interest from rival clubs such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham this summer.
Eze’s superb form for Palace – with 15 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for club and country last season – has led to plenty of interest from bigger clubs.
After consulting well-placed sources in the industry, CaughtOffside have been informed that things are now moving in the right direction between Arsenal and Palace.
Latest information on Arsenal’s bid to sign Eberechi Eze
Although Eze has a £67.5m release clause in his contract at Palace, Arsenal look to be moving towards an agreement to pay it in instalments.
The north London giants are understood to be offering an initial £45m, with the remainder of the clause to be paid later in performance-related bonuses which are likely to be quite easy to meet.
One source told us: “Palace are in favour of this structure”, and this was backed up by another source.
Personal terms are not expected to be an issue, with Eze keen to join Arsenal and set to double his salary with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Eberechi Eze transfer looks like a major coup for Arsenal
Everything is looking pretty positive in Arsenal’s move for Eze right now, with the England international prioritising them over other clubs.
CaughtOffside understands that Manchester City and Tottenham both made approaches for the 27-year-old playmaker earlier this summer as well.
Chelsea also showed an interest, but things weren’t as concrete with them, and in any case it seems clear that Eze has Arsenal as his first choice.
AFC will surely be delighted if this goes through as Eze can offer them an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli on the left-hand side, as well as a different profile of player to challenge Martin Odegaard in that central attacking midfield role.
