This summer has felt like a whirlwind for Arsenal.
During the first few weeks of the transfer window, it looked like the club were standing still and allowing their rivals to get further ahead of them, but over the last few weeks, everything has changed.
For example, the club have already announced the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, and Noni Madueke, and it’s just a matter of time until they announce the arrival of Cristhian Mosquera.
Add to that the imminent arrival of goalscoring extraordinaire Viktor Gyokeres and the persistent links to Eberechi Eze and Mikel Arteta’s side could be competing on all fronts next year.
Yet, there is another international ace heavily linked with a move to the Emirates, someone who’d be a more exciting signing than the Crystal Palace star.
Arsenal target international star
Eze has long been on Arsenal’s radar, with stories touting his return to the club emerging as far back as last summer.
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Those stories have returned in a big way this summer, with the current state of play seeming to be that club have spoken to the player, want to bring him to the Emirates, but do not want to pay his entire £68m release clause.
The 27-year-old star would be a great addition to the squad, but the Gunners might need to get a move on if they really want him, as London rivals Chelsea have also been credited with concrete interest in him.
With that said, Arteta and Co might have gone cold on the whole deal, as it now looks like the club are looking towards another, more exciting winger.
At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which claims Arsenal are still incredibly interested in Rodrygo.
In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that the North Londoners are now preparing to test the waters with an offer of around €80m, which is about £69m.
However, while Real Madrid are willing to let the Brazilian leave this summer, they would only do so for a fee of around €100m, which is about £87m.
It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but Rodrygo would be worth it, and a more exciting signing than Eze at that.
Why Rodrygo would be more exciting than Eze
The first thing to note is that both players are incredibly talented and would make for truly exciting signings this summer.
However, in Arsenal’s case, there are a few reasons why Rodrygo would be that bit more appealing.
Firstly, while Eze has Premier League experience and played a key role in Palace’s FA Cup triumph last season, the Brazilian has significantly more experience playing at the very top of the game, in the Champions League.
For example, in his 64 appearances in the competition, totalling 3883 minutes, the former “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists.
Appearances
64
Starts
43
Minutes
3883
Goals
25
Assists
14
Goal Involvements per Match
0.60
Minutes per Goal Involvement
99.56′
That comes out to a goal involvement every 1.64 games, or every 99.56 minutes in the most prestigious competition in club football.
Moreover, he hasn’t just been statpadding in meaningless games either, as of his 25 goals, eight have been game-winning and eight have come in the knockout rounds.
In other words, he is just the sort of player this Arsenal team need to really get over the final hurdle and win the major honours, and we can’t say for certain that the Eagles ace could be the same.
Add to all of that the fact he’s three years younger than the former QPR star, and it’s scary, or exciting, to think about how good he could be when he hits his peak a few years from now.
Finally, there is also the superficial, but unavoidable, argument that signing a star from Real Madrid is simply always going to be more exciting than signing one from Palace.
Ultimately, if Arsenal can get both players, they should, but if they cannot, then it makes more sense to splash the cash on the younger but more experienced top-level international in Rodrygo, who’d be a far more exciting addition.
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1 ByJack Salveson HolmesJul 17, 2025