Arsenal eye “fascinating” Eze alternative with £22.5m release clause

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is known for spinning many plates simultaneously when it comes to his transfer plans, and the Italian now has his eyes on more than one attacking midfielder.

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Arsenal appear to be lining up their next marquee signing after Viktor Gyokeres’ arrival

After finally sealing a deal for Viktor Gyokeres in a deal worth up to £64 million from Sporting CP, reports have suggested that Arsenal’s next transfer priority is a number 10 to complement club captain Martin Odegaard.

Mikel Arteta‘s side are believed to be working on outgoings right now too, with that being a key focus, especially after a summer of expenditure totalling well north of £200 million thus far, but a new creator is still on the agenda.

Arsenal’s links to Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, as has been the case for a month now, are refusing to go away.

There are some suggestions that Eze has already agreed personal terms to join Arsenal (Sport Zone), and while this is yet to be confirmed by reliable media sources, the likes of Fabrizio Romano state that the Gunners are in constant contact with the 27-year-old’s camp.

However, there is no guarantee that Arsenal will agree a deal for Eze, with north London rivals Tottenham also contending for the England international as Palace continue to demand his release clause be paid in full.

Arsenal eye Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss

According to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, Berta is now targeting Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss – who would come as a potential alternative to Eze.

Arsenal are believed to be real fans of El Khannouss, alongside a host of clubs in Europe – RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, Monaco, Atalanta and Valencia – alongside Premier League rivals Spurs, Newcastle, Palace, Leeds and West Ham.

The Moroccan is a man in demand, it would seem, with talkSPORT also reporting that El Khannouss’ contract includes a £22.5 million release clause – so he’s up for grabs at a quarter of Eze’s price.

“El Khannouss is a fascinating player,” said Bailey. “Very similar to Rayan Cherki in terms of talent. Many clubs rate him as one of the finest technicians of his generation.”

The 21-year-old, who only signed for Leicester from Genk in 2024, averaged more key passes per 90 in the top flight than any other Foxes player last term (WhoScored), with a fee of just under £23m seeming like a steal.