English-Nigerian winger Eberechi Eze urged by Theo Walcott to reject Arsenal transfer amid £68m links

Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has advised Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to resist the lure of a summer move to the Emirates, cautioning that “the grass isn’t always greener” despite growing interest from the Gunners.

Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a £68 million bid, but Walcott believes staying at Palace could better serve Eze in a World Cup year.

Eze, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most creative attacking talents.

The 27-year-old’s future remains uncertain despite Palace’s success under Oliver Glasner, winning both the FA Cup and Community Shield in the past 18 months. Tottenham Hotspur, managed by Thomas Frank, are also in talks to sign the forward.

Speaking to It’s Called Soccer, Walcott urged Eze to consider the timing of a transfer carefully.

“If he has a good season at Palace, he will go to the World Cup, I’m pretty sure of that… then what other teams will have a look at him after that?” he said.

“If I was Eze, I would probably stay put just because it’s World Cup year. If it wasn’t World Cup year then I would probably move on.”

Walcott admitted there is a risk in passing up such opportunities but stressed the potential disruption a move could bring.

“I love the way Eze plays at Palace at this moment in time and it would look very different at Arsenal. He would improve Arsenal, 100 per cent, but I just feel that World Cup year is a big factor for a lot of players this year,” he said.