TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Arsenal’s move for Eberechi Eze is currently considered to be off the table, with Tottenham Hotspur set to firm up their interest.
On Tuesday, TBR Football revealed that Tottenham had made contact with Eze’s camp, and there is an expectation that Spurs could now land him.
There is a sense from some at the North London club that Steve Parish’s valuation of over £60 million is too expensive, but Tottenham Hotspur are expected to press ahead with plans to sign him.
But for the Gunners, their bid to recruit the England international is unlikely to happen, as it stands, and the reason why is clear.
Arsenal no longer view Eberechi Eze as a priority summer transfer target, and they would rather sign a true left-wing option, sources have told TBR Football’s Chief Correspondent, Graeme Bailey.
As revealed by TBR Football last month, Arsenal view Eze as a number ten, an area in which they are pretty strong, with Martin Odegaard, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman.
Meanwhile, out on the left, the struggles of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard mean that signing a left-sided attacker is paramount.
Bailey told TBR Football: “Eze is a tricky one. Steve Parish is asking well over £60 million, which is a difficult price. Arsenal liked the player, but that move seems to be off for now.
“Some people think Spurs might consider him too expensive, but I suspect they’ll try. They’ve paid that sort of money before, and I think Spurs will come in for him and probably get him.
“Unlike Arsenal, who always viewed Eze as a number 10 rather than a solution for the left-hand side, Tottenham see him as someone who can play on the left. That flexibility is likely to push Spurs to make a move in the coming days.
“Meanwhile, Arsenal are expected to focus on strengthening the left-hand side rather than pursuing someone they see primarily as a number 10. They are unlikely but not completely impossible to make a move for Eze at this point.”
Arsenal are probably right to move on from Eze, given how well stocked they are in terms of attacking midfielders.
After Nwaneri signed a new contract at Arsenal, the need for another number ten has certainly reduced and blocking his opportunities would not be smart.
The Gunners have high hopes for the 18-year-old, so spending £60 million on a position in which one of their brightest young talents plays could stunt his progression.
Meanwhile, Odegaard remains a key player for the North London club and is set to start most matches playing in the attacking midfield role for Mikel Arteta’s side.
