Eberechi Eze twist emerges as new release clause detail changes everything for Arsenal

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Arsenal still want to sign Eberechi Eze this summer, despite already adding six new players to Mikel Arteta’s squad.

The Gunners’ spending has already reached the £200 million mark, acquiring the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi for significant fees.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera have also arrived in N5, for more modest sums, brought in to provide depth to Arteta’s ensemble.

Andrea Berta feels Eze is the final piece in the jigsaw and is still pushing to complete a move for the England international.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Eberechi Eze’s release clause has not expired

Part of what made a deal for Eze attractive to Arsenal is that the player reportedly had a release clause in his contract, worth around £68 million.

If the Gunners activated this clause, they would be free to sign the attacking midfielder as long as they could agree on personal terms with him.

However, Eze’s release clause expired at the end of July, according to several reputable sources.

This has left the Gunners with no clear path to landing the former QPR man, with negotiations with a stubborn Crystal Palace expected to be difficult.

However, journalist Dharmesh Sheth has now revealed that one source has told him that the release clause hasn’t expired yet, although it will later in the window.

“It was expected to go quiet while they completed these deals,” he said on the Transfer Talk podcast.

“And also, while the focus then went on potential sales at Arsenal. So I’m not, I’m told not to rule out later in the window Arsenal trying to still do a deal for Eze.

“I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but that interest has definitely not gone away. There is that issue with his release clause. Now, it’s £60 million plus £8 million in performance-related add-ons, so a full deal of around £68 million.

“But there is an expiry on that release clause. There were reports that it was two weeks before the season started, which means it’s expired already. Another source has told me that that’s not actually the case. And while there is an expiration on that release clause, it comes later in the window. But I think Arsenal would have wanted to negotiate on that release clause anyway.”

Arsenal may have opportunity to wrap up Eberechi Eze signing

£68 million is steep for a 27-year-old who has no clear role at Arsenal.

However, the Gunners have clearly struggled on the left-hand side of their attack in recent pre-season games, and it’s clear that they need an upgrade in this position as quickly as possible.

Eze has the ability to fulfil this role, with his one-on-one dribbling and ability to get shots off crucial attributes that Arsenal currently lack.

If Sheth’s source is correct, the North Londoners can wrap up a deal for Eze quickly.

They may have to pay over the odds, but this is the price of signing a Premier League-proven England international who will solve many issues for the Gunners off the left.

Berta must accelerate this deal; otherwise, things could be difficult for Arsenal in the opening weeks of the season.