Arsenal in talks to sell “extraordinary” £34m star; his exit would make room for Eze – Report…

Arsenal is in discussions to offload an “extraordinary” £34m disappointment; his departure would create space for Eze – opinion

Despite the setback against Tottenham Hotspur last week, this summer has been remarkable for Arsenal thus far.

Mikel Arteta’s team has performed well in their other pre-season matches, and Andrea Berta has been actively engaged in the transfer market.

The Italian has already secured six first-team signings, with Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi being the most thrilling additions.

However, it seems the Gunners are not finished yet, as they remain linked with Eberechi Eze, and with reports indicating they are now negotiating to sell a fringe player, they may soon acquire the funds necessary to bring the Englishman on board.

Reasons for Arsenal’s interest in Eze

Arsenal has had ties to Eze for quite some time, with some reports suggesting a move to the Emirates for the 27-year-old last summer.

Nevertheless, it is fair to say that these connections have become significantly more substantial this summer.

In fact, some reports from last month indicated that discussions with the player have progressed positively, and that the North London club is merely waiting for the Crystal Palace star’s £68m release clause to lapse later this month, allowing for greater flexibility in negotiations.

Regardless of the final fee for the Eagles star, it is clear why Arteta and his team are eager to secure his services.

For instance, even while playing for a mid-table team at best last season, the “superstar” forward, as referred to by esteemed analyst Ben Mattinson, accumulated 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 matches, totaling 3303 minutes.

In other terms, the former QPR talent averaged a goal contribution every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes throughout the season.

Additionally, the Greenwich-born talent played a crucial role in Palace’s FA Cup victory, scoring in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final.

Overall, Eze appears to be an outstanding acquisition for Arsenal, and it seems the club is preparing for his arrival.

The Arsenal player who might be sold for Eze

While Arsenal’s focus this summer has been on new signings, several first-team players are still rumored to be leaving.

For instance, Gabriel Jesus was reportedly attracting interest from Brazilian club Flamengo last week, while Leandro Trossard has been frequently linked with Borussia Dortmund, and even Jakub Kiwior has caught the attention of Porto.

However, as it stands, the player most likely to depart this summer is Fabio Vieira, who joined the Emirates three years ago for approximately £34m.

At least, that’s what a recent report from Sebastien Vidal suggests, indicating that German club VfB Stuttgart is now interested in the Portuguese midfielder and has been negotiating with Arsenal for a permanent transfer.

The 25-year-old would certainly leave at a loss, but it may be time for Arteta and his team to cut their losses, as there is no sign that he will evolve into the player they envisioned.

After all, he managed only 13 goal involvements in 49 appearances over the two seasons he has been with the club, and even last season, during his loan at Porto, he didn’t perform significantly better.

For instance, the “exceptional” midfielder, as talent scout Jacek Kulig once referred to him, recorded 11 goal involvements in 42 matches, with eight of those coming in just 26 league games.

Ultimately, while Vieira clearly possesses some talent, it is equally evident that he is not suited to play for Arsenal, and if his exit can pave the way for Eze, then the club should express gratitude for his contributions and let him go.