Arsenal have perfect trump card to seal Eberechi Eze transfer at bargain price

Arsenal could sign Eberechi Eze at a reduced price by playing their cards right in negotiations with Crystal Palace. The north Londoners have been among the Premier League's busiest clubs this summer, having spent nearly £200million on new players. The likes of Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard and Viktor Gyokeres have all joined since the end of last season.

In spite of their busy recruitment drive, they are still looking to add more quality in advance of the new campaign. Mikel Arteta reportedly wants to sign another forward and is said to have identified Eze as his preferred target. The versatile attacker was on Arsenal's books as a boy and is reportedly being eyed for a return to his old stomping ground.

Eze has lit up the Premier League over the last few seasons and was a key figure as Palace won the FA Cup last season. He is thought to be keen on joining Arsenal as they look to end their five-year wait for a major trophy at the next time of asking.

Any move for Eze would certainly not come cheap, though. He has a £68million buyout clause at Selhurst Park, a figure which is reportedly deemed excessive by those in power at Arsenal.

They could attempt to drive down his price tag by proposing a swap deal involving Leandro Trossard, who Eze would effectively replace if he joins the Gunners this summer.

Trossard has been a dependable squad player for Arsenal since his arrival from Brighton nearly three years ago. That said, there is little doubt that Eze would be a massive upgrade on the Belgian.

Both players are capable of playing either centrally or in a wide role, with Trossard's versatility part of the reason why he was signed. Eze, however, is three years younger and simply a better player.

A part-exchange deal that would see Trossard go the other way could be a solution to benefit all parties. His experience would be a plus for Palace, who would also reap the rewards of his ability to play in multiple positions.

Arsenal, meanwhile, would be replacing an older squad player with a younger and better alternative. Doing a deal in this way could also tempt Palace to accept a lower transfer fee than the figure stipulated in Eze's release clause.

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A move for the England international would cap off a brilliant transfer window for the Gunners, who are desperate to end their two-decade wait for a Premier League title next season.

Arteta has already hinted that he would like to sign more players but stopped short of naming Eze as a target when quizzed on Arsenal's reported interest.

Speaking earlier this week, the Spaniard said: "I said that I was extremely happy with the way that we have approached the window and how aggressive we've been.

"There's still a long period with the window open. So far, we are very happy with what we have achieved. Make sure that at the end of the window, we continue to be super happy."