Mikel Arteta stance revealed after Arsenal interest in Eberechi Eze accelerates

As reported by football.london in May, Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze is of interest to Arsenal this summer. The England international has impressed over several seasons for the Eagles and helped the club win their first trophy, the FA Cup, last season.

It is believed Eze would be keen on a move to the Gunners and the player has a £67.5million release clause in his deal in south London. Reports have suggested Arsenal held discussions over the weekend regarding Eze, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Eze is not the out-and-out winger that the club are believed to be keen on profile-wise, however, the 27-year-old has played plenty of matches off the left-hand side for Palace. Arsenal truly appreciate his versatility, with Martin Odegaard's form last season leading to question marks over the depth in the position.

Chief Arsenal correspondent for football.london, Tom Canton, asked Mikel Arteta for his thoughts on signing competition for the club captain. However, at the time, the Spaniard hit back, suggesting there was already enough depth in the role.

“We have a lot of options there,” he replied. “I mean, [Mikel] Merino can play in that position, Declan [Rice], we have Ethan [Nwaneri] there, that is his main position.

“We have players that can play in that position, we have Max [Dowman] coming up as well, as you know, very soon as well. So I think we are good in that position.”

Despite this answer, Eze would add further quality and his arrival, should it occur, would not rule out further additions in attack. The club are thought to, in a dream scenario, want three offensive additions this summer with a striker and another wide option the targets.

The centre-forward negotiations for the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are ongoing and their protracted length links to wanting the best possible deal so that the club are free to take advantage of potential opportunities that emerge later in the window.

Rodrygo is the main name who has also been mentioned in regard to a wide forward target. The club’s interest is real, but the scope of a transfer will revolve solely around whether the Brazilian wants out of Real Madrid this summer, which at present is yet to be determined.

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