The race to sign Eberechi Eze has taken a dramatic turn, with Arsenal now leading the chase for the Crystal Palace star after Tottenham Hotspur cooled their interest.
The 27-year-old forward, whose £60m release clause (plus £8m in add-ons) expired before the Premier League season kicked off, still has two years left on his contract at Selhurst Park. Palace remain reluctant sellers, but Arsenal have reactivated their long-standing interest and are pushing for a breakthrough.
Spurs, meanwhile, believed they had secured an agreement with both Palace and Eze earlier in the week. Negotiations even included discussions about using Richarlison in part of the deal, which could have freed up space for a move for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. But after Arsenal re-entered the picture on Wednesday, Tottenham accepted the player’s preference and have turned their focus to alternative targets.
Eze, who started Palace’s draw against Chelsea on Sunday, has not hidden his admiration for Arsenal in the past. A former academy player with the Gunners, he grew up supporting the club and is said to be open to a move to the Emirates.
Arsenal had explored the possibility of signing him earlier in the summer but shifted priorities to squad renewals and strengthening other areas. Spurs’ pursuit reopened the door, and Arsenal’s late move now appears set to hijack what once looked like a North London battle.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, however, insists Eze remains committed to the club in the meantime. Speaking ahead of their Conference League play-off, he said:
“Ebs has been fully professional. He’s still our player, he’s still under contract, and as long as he is here he will give 100%. That’s what he has always done.”
Eze has been pivotal for Palace over the last few seasons, combining flair, creativity, and goals. Whether he stays at Selhurst Park or finally gets his big move, his future now looks set to define the final stretch of the transfer window.