Rio Ferdinand sends clear transfer message to Arsenal over £68m target

Arsenal continue to be linked with Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze but Rio Ferdinand has questioned where the England international will fit into Mikel Arteta's side

Rio Ferdinand has cast doubt over where and when Eberechi Eze would play at Arsenal as the north Londoners continue to weigh up the £68million pursuit of the Crystal Palace winger.

Eze has become a leading light at Selhurst Park and was instrumental in their FA Cup success, scoring in the semi-final and final. However he is now courting attention and Mikel Arteta, who has been looking for wide players this summer, is considering a move.

The winger himself is keen on a switch across the capital with Arsenal aware of his valuation. There has been reports of them trying to pay for Eze in instalments as they look to further bolster their frontline.

Viktor Gyokeres has been bought in as a No 9 with Noni Madueke also joining from Chelsea. They will compliment the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri and Ferdinand is unsure where Eze would fit into the picture.

He said on his YouTube channel: "I don’t think [Arsenal] need Eze. Why do [Arsenal] need Eze? Where is he going to play? You’ve got Martin Zubimendi as a holding midfielder, Declan Rice on the left-hand side of the No.8, Martin Odegaard on the right-hand side. Then you’ve got a winger – out of Noni Madueke or Gabriel Martinelli… He’d play where Declan Rice plays."

Eze has excelled on the flanks but can equally play as a 10, which would give Arteta more options. Martin Odegaard has been the team's chief playmaker and Martin Zubimendi has come in to add more quality to the midfield.

Arsenal's desire to bring in a quality winger was underlined by their pursuit earlier this summer of Nico Williams, before he chose to remain at Athletic Bilbao. Real Madrid's Rodrygo was also a target but he is now poised to remain with the Spanish giants and fight for his place.

Last month Arteta hinted at more business as he claimed: "There's still a long time in the window. And we are seeking still, in terms of numbers, we are short, and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad. We are constantly looking in the market."

The Eagles meanwhile are hopeful they can retain Eze and Marc Guehi. Both players are open to staying put despite interest elsewhere. Captain Guehi is on Liverpool's radar and will see his contract expire next summer, which could play a factor in his future.