ARSENAL are ready to take on North London rivals Tottenham in the race for £68million Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
SunSport understands Gunners chief Andrea Berta has held talks with one of Eze’s representatives.
But Berta will have to convince the Arsenal hierarchy that it is a worthwhile deal given the England international’s age and the fee.
Spurs target Eze turns 27 on Sunday and the Emirates club are against signing two players that age with Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, 27, also on their radar.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko remains Arsenal’s No.1 striker target but they are also interested in Gyokeres, although they face competition from Manchester United and Liverpool.
Earlier this summer, signing a left-winger was regarded as a bonus, with a striker a priority, but the club now want to do both.
Although buying Eze would reduce their funds for a striker.
Eze, who scored the winner for Palace in last month’s FA Cup final, has a £68m release clause and has just two years left on his Selhurst Park contract.
Arsenal are expected to confirm deals for midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, plus back-up goalkeeper Kepa from Chelsea, in the coming days.
They are also hoping to beat Real Madrid to the signing of 20-year-old Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, 20.
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Arsenal lost out to Real in the race to sign Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen but are battling with them again for the Spain under-21 international, who is about to enter the final year of his deal.
He would be a replacement for Jakub Kiwior, who is set to end his three-year Emirates stay this summer.
The Gunners have already bid farewell to Jorginho and Kieran Tierney.
And Thomas Partey also looks set to leave when his contract expires next week.
