Crystal Palace are exploring whether they could receive a player in return should Eberechi Eze move to Arsenal, according to a report.
The Gunners are weighing up making a move for the England attacker after activating their pursuit of him last week. Eze is understood to be keen on the move, but Arsenal are still discussing how they want to proceed with this deal.
Eze has a release clause worth as much as €80 million, so Arsenal are exploring whether a different formula could be agreed with Crystal Palace, potentially one that would see them spend slightly more in exchange for better payment terms.
This is what Arsenal did when they agreed a deal with Real Sociedad for Martin Zubimendi, and they are mulling over a similar procedure, but it remains to be seen if the Selhurst Park outfit would be willing to agree to this.
It is thought that Arsenal’s interest in Eze is unrelated to their ongoing missions to secure a high-profile left-winger and a prolific striker, although the 27-year-old is capable of deputising in both positions if need be.
Crystal Palace to ask for swap deal?
According to GIVEMESPORT, Crystal Palace are exploring whether they could receive a player from Arsenal in return should an agreement for Eze be reached.
The idea of an informal swap deal is being floated, but it is not yet clear which players Palace could target. They were previously interested in Jakub Kiwior, but they now look set to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP to replace Marc Guehi.
Of course, any such transfer would officially be kept separate from Eze’s move for accounting purposes. In recent seasons, Eddie Nketiah, Rob Holding and Albert Sambi Lokonga have moved from Arsenal to Palace.
So far this summer, Palace have only signed veteran goalkeeper Walter Benitez on a free transfer from PSV. They are still waiting to find out if they will be allowed to compete in the Europa League after winning the FA Cup last term.
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