Arsenal slammed over £68m Eberechi Eze transfer with’ ‘trouble’ claim
Eberechi Eze is set to choose Arsenal and finally complete a move away from Crystal Palace, but the Gunners’ transfer policy is coming under scrutiny thanks to the deal
Former Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf has cast doubt on the wisdom of Arsenal’s move for Eberechi Eze. Crystal Palace star Eze is due to join the Gunners from Crystal Palace in a deal worth up to £68million, but Leboeuf is worried about the impact his arrival could have on the squad balance.
Arsenal explored a move for Eze earlier in the month, but looked set to back away from the deal and clear a path for rivals Tottenham. An injury to Kai Havertz forced them into action, though, and Eze is now set for a medical and could yet make a final Palace appearance in the Conference League on Thursday.
The move comes despite Arsenal agreeing fresh terms with Leandro Trossard earlier in the week. The Gunners have plenty of options in support of starting striker Viktor Gyokeres, and Leboeuf believes they should have targeted other areas.
“When you have somebody like Eze do you go for it at £68m when you already have [Gabriel] Martinelli, [Leandro] Trossard, [Noni] Madueke who can play on the left?” the Frenchman asked during an appearance on ESPN FC. ‘I don’t know why you also really need him.
“It’s a big amount of money just to upset your biggest enemies, but do you really need Eze to win? I’m not judging Eze, and I’m not saying he’s not bigger or stronger or better than the others, but I don’t think Arsenal need that kind of player to win the title because they already have players for that.”
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal to seal Eze deal, Liverpool’s Isak and Guehi wait, Man Utd latestREAD MORE: How Arsenal pulled off stunning Eberechi Eze deal hijack to embarrass Tottenham
Eze spent time in Arsenal’s academy as a youngster before being released, and now has a chance to make up for lost time. Leboeuf questioned whether the move was right for the balance of the squad, though, while questioning whether Havertz’s injury was enough of reason to break the bank.
“I’m not sure Eze can be the X-Factor for Arsenal to win the Premier League,” he said. “He could, but he could also create trouble.”
Eze isn’t the only Palace player who might be playing a final match for the club against Fredrikstad in the Conference League. Eagles captain Marc Guehi has been targeted by Liverpool, with a deal possible as the centre-back enters the final year of his contract, but manager Oliver Glasner plans to use both men on Thursday.
“Many of you were surprised he [Eze] and Marc started against Chelsea, you may be surprised they start tomorrow, but they are committed to the team,” Glasner told reporters on Wednesday. “They will play a crucial part for as long as they are here, they are committed to the team. If they leave, they want to leave as the guys who gave 100% to Crystal Palace.”
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