Gary Cahill has backed Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to take the next step in his career and join Arsenal this summer.
After another thrilling campaign at Selhurst Park that ended with FA Cup glory at Wembley, Eze’s future could lie away from south east London.
While Tottenham and Manchester United are long-term admirers of the attacking midfielder, Arsenal have now set their sights on the 27-year-old with Mikel Arteta eager to bring him to the Emirates.
Liverpool have also been credited with interest but it is believed his preference would be the Gunners if he is to leave Palace this summer.
The Eagles are adamant Eze will not leave unless their asking price of £68million is met. Arsenal, who released the Palace star as a 13-year-old, hope to negotiate a lower fee.
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Former England and Chelsea defender Cahill spent one season playing alongside Eze at Selhurst Park following his move from Queens Park Rangers, believing the Londoner has reached ‘amazing’ new levels at Palace.
But at 27 years of age and with intense competition for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad next summer, Cahill believes a switch to north London is the right fit at the right time.
‘Palace have given Eze an amazing platform to reach the level he is at now both at Palace and with England,’ Cahill told Metro.
‘But at 27, he is probably looking for that next challenge at an elite club. Maybe he is looking for that next chapter in his career.
‘Arsenal have been brilliant the last few years and will be very competitive in the Premier League and in Europe. He would fit in there with Mikel Arteta’s style of play.
‘You want to play in the Champions League, play against the best teams and best players and there is nothing wrong with that ambition. It is the perfect time for someone like him to move.’
Cahill found himself in a similar position when he decided to leave Bolton for Chelsea in 2012, needing to make a tough decision for the benefit of his own career.
A similar dilemma faces Eze’s teammate Marc Guehi, who is wanted by Liverpool. Newcastle United failed with four bids for the centre-half last summer with Tottenham also turned away in January but with just 12 months left on his contract, Palace have their last opportunity to cash in.
Guehi is firmly established in England’s backline and has been at the heart of Palace’s defence since arriving at the club four years ago.
A move to Liverpool could see him lose his first-team status, however, if tasked with breaking up the partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate on Merseyside.
‘At 24, he has got ambition to push on,’ Cahill said of the Palace star. ‘He is already in the England set up, he has played lot and done very well in the games and competitions he’s played. So he might be looking upwards to break into one of the elite teams.
‘With his attributes, he certainly could do that. I have always been so impressed with him at Palace and England. That is the next level of pressure and responsibility when you have eyes on you and he has dealt with that extremely well.
‘He will want Champions League football and to challenge for titles. But to play week-in, week-out is so important, especially in a World Cup year. If you’re not playing, you won’t be involved. So it Is a big decision whether he moves this summer or later.’
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