Bukayo Saka's warning to Arsenal about Eberechi Eze speaks volumes as £70m transfer mooted

Bukayo Saka's stark warning about Eberechi Eze will be music to the ears of Arsenal fans. The Gunners are mulling over a £70million swoop for Eze, having made the Crystal Palace star their No. 1 transfer target after finally getting a deal for Viktor Gyokeres over the line.

The 27-year-old, a lifelong Arsenal supporter, is reportedly eager to make the switch - and it sounds as if Saka would welcome the move, too. Speaking last year, Saka singled out Eze as the England team-mate who impressed him most in training.

"Eze has been class in training," the 23-year-old said. "He has impressed me the most, I would say." Saka isn't the only one who's been wowed by Eze in training. Defender Joel Lynch - who played with Eze at QPR - once admitted he "wouldn't go near him" during sessions, such was Eze's skill and unpredictability on the ball.

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"I wouldn't go near him because he'd just do some madness and try and nutmeg me," Lynch told BBC Sport. "Before the start of games, where everyone is giving each other high fives, I'd go up to him and say, 'Mate, score a couple now so we can all go home. Just win us the game, please'.

"He was that good. I actually thought at the time he could literally just win us the game. The only time I watch the Premier League now is to watch him play."

It suggests Arsenal's defenders could be in for a rude awakening if Eze makes the move to the Emirates Stadium this summer. While lining up beside him on matchdays will be a thrill, it's in training where they'll have to deal with his full repertoire, just as Lynch once did.

"He was miles above the rest really," Lynch added. "The way he carries himself is perfect. If any young lad coming through the game wants to look at a player it would be him, he's the prime example of how to be a professional. He's a class act."

Eze has two years left on his contract at Selhurst Park, giving Palace solid negotiating power as they look to command a significant fee. However, Arsenal are hoping to lower the asking price, having spent close to £200m on players already this summer.

In addition to Gyokeres, the Gunners have also brought in Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristhian Mosquera - with Mikel Arteta sparing no expense in a bid to finally end the club's long wait for a Premier League title.

Should Eze arrive too, it would push Arsenal's total summer spend past the £250m mark - their highest single-season outlay in club history.

Eze joined Crystal Palace from QPR in 2020 and quickly established himself as a key figure in the side. His form earned him a first England cap in 2023 and a place in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad the following year.

Last season, he played a pivotal role in helping Palace lift their first major trophy, scoring the decisive goal in a memorable FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

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