Rio Ferdinand fires warning to Eberechi Eze over Arsenal transfer this summer | Football

Rio Ferdinand has warned Eberechi Eze he may struggle for game time if he joins Arsenal from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window.

Eze has been strongly linked to Arsenal ahead of the new Premier League season and the player is thought to be keen on a switch to north London.

Arsenal are reluctant to pay Eze’s £68m price tag – but believe they can negotiate a lower fee before the summer window closes on September 1.

Eze has established himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League, helping Palace land a historic FA Cup trophy last term.

The 27-year-old has played a total of 167 games for Palace to date, registering 40 goals and 28 assists for the south London club.

While agreeing personal terms with Arsenal is unlikely to be a significant issue, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand, who works as a football pundit, has told the Englishman to think twice about a transfer.

Ferdinand: Arsenal don’t need Eze

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: ‘I don’t think [Arsenal] need Eze. Why do [Arsenal] need Eze? Where is he going to play?

‘You’ve got Martin Zubimendi as a holding midfielder, Declan Rice on the left-hand side of the No.8, Martin Odegaard on the right-hand side.

‘Then you’ve got a winger – out of Noni Madueke or Gabriel Martinelli… He’d play where Declan Rice plays.’

Arsenal need Eberechi Eze this summer

Analysis from Sports Editor James Goldman…

It was almost impressive that after spending nearly £200m on new blood that the Gunners looked so distinctly recognisable in their 1-0 pre-season defeat to Tottenham.

A lack of invention and reliance on Bukayo Saka, allied to the traditional Gabriel Martinelli off, Leandro Trossard on substitution had fans despairing.

It’s obvious why Arsenal supporters are crying out for Eberechi Eze.

Ferdinand: Eze would give Arsenal depth

Quizzed if the move made sense for Arsenal, Ferdinand agreed, arguing that Eze’s potential arrival would give the Gunners more depth.

He also said that Eze could fit in the Arsenal XI if Rice was deployed as the defensive midfielder instead of new signing Martin Zubimendi.

‘If Declan Rice played as a holding midfielder, I’d take Eze in a heartbeat,’ Ferdinand added.

‘Yeah, he would give [Arsenal] depth. You could move it about. If Declan Rice gets injured, who have you got? Max Dowman.’

Arsenal feel Eze’s best position is when he operates as a No.10 but also view him as a versatile attacking player who can be deployed on the left.

It’s also reported that Arsenal are looking to sell a forward before making a formal move for Eze.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that Palace chairman Steve Parish has currently shown no indication he would be open to negotiating a lower price for Eze.

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