Report: £67.5m clause expires soon as Arsenal weigh up transfer decision | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Eze Chase Heats Up as Release Clause Deadline Looms

With just days until the Premier League season kicks off, Arsenal’s reported pursuit of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has taken a dramatic twist. According to Sky Sports, citing football.london, the 27-year-old’s £67.5m release clause will expire before the start of the Premier League campaign, meaning any deal will have to be negotiated directly with Palace—and likely on tougher terms.

Release Clause Set to Expire

Eze’s release clause includes up to £7.5m in add-ons, but crucially, The Guardian reports that Crystal Palace are not willing to accept any bids below the full amount. Palace appear determined to hold firm unless a package meets or exceeds that total. However, there is nuance here: football.london suggest Palace want around £35m up front, with the rest made up in add-ons.

Photo: IMAGO

Complicating matters further, Queen’s Park Rangers are due a 20 per cent sell-on fee—a clause inserted when Eze moved from QPR to Palace for £20m back in 2020. That percentage shaves a decent chunk off any profit Palace might make, making their reluctance to budge on price understandable.

Arsenal Hold Talks with Player’s Camp

According to the report, Arsenal officials met with Eze’s representatives last month and have already discussed personal terms. Sky Sports also states that Arsenal have held initial talks with Crystal Palace regarding a potential transfer for the England international.

While no formal bid has been confirmed, it’s understood Eze is “very keen on a move to Arsenal, having prioritised the Gunners over other potential destinations this summer.” That intent could play a crucial role in shaping negotiations if Arsenal decide to press ahead with an official offer before the clause expires.

Financials Will Determine Arsenal’s Intent

The numbers involved—£67.5m including add-ons, a 20% QPR sell-on clause, and the deadline looming—make this a particularly delicate deal. Arsenal must weigh Eze’s price tag against other priorities in the transfer window, with central midfield and a potential striker still under consideration.

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From an Arsenal fan’s perspective, this feels like the type of transfer that could define the club’s intent going into the new campaign. Eze’s technical elegance, ability to carry the ball from deep, and knack for breaking lines make him an ideal fit for Mikel Arteta’s fluid system. He could operate either as an advanced No.8 or as part of a rotating front line—versatility that Arsenal have lacked at times.

The concern will be financial. While £67.5m is significant, the suggestion that Palace would accept £35m up front with add-ons provides hope. But with the clause expiring imminently, Arsenal must act fast or risk Palace hiking the price. If they truly want Eze, delay could be costly.

Additionally, the fact that Eze is reportedly “very keen on a move to Arsenal” is not just encouraging, it’s strategic leverage. That kind of player preference often helps in complex negotiations. Still, fans will remember past sagas where early interest fizzled out due to hesitation. The hope here is that the club act decisively.

If Arsenal want to compete at the very top, they can’t let players like Eze slip through their fingers.