Arsenal are set to win the race for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, with the two clubs having reached an agreement in principle for a £60m transfer.
Sources indicate that the 27-year-old, who spent part of his youth career at Arsenal, prefers a move back to north London with the Gunners, despite Tottenham Hotspur previously being in advanced talks to sign him.
Reports suggest Spurs and Palace had already agreed on a deal following 10 days of negotiations, but the move stalled before completion. Arsenal accelerated their pursuit after concerns emerged regarding Kai Havertz’s knee injury, which has left Mikel Arteta seeking additional options in attack.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that Eze would feature in their UEFA Conference League play-off clash with Fredrikstad, alongside defender Marc Guehi, who has also been linked with a transfer.
Eze, an England international, is pushing for the move before the transfer window closes on 1 September. He saw a goal disallowed in Palace’s season-opening draw against Chelsea and remains a vital player after contributing 14 goals last season, including the winner in their FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City.
The forward joined Crystal Palace from Queens Park Rangers in 2020 for £19.5m and is under contract until 2027, though his release clause—valued at £60m plus £8m in add-ons—recently expired.
A Key Signing for Arsenal
For Arsenal, sealing Eze’s signature ahead of their north London rivals would mark one of the standout moves of the transfer window. With Noni Madueke recently added, alongside Ethan Nwaneri’s new deal and existing wide threats Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, Arteta now has a reinforced frontline capable of absorbing Havertz’s absence.
A Blow for Spurs
Meanwhile, Tottenham will view this development as a significant setback. Head coach Thomas Frank had identified Eze as a replacement for the injured James Maddison, and the club had believed the deal was within reach.
Insiders at Spurs admit Eze’s history as a childhood Arsenal fan and former academy player left them at a disadvantage once Arsenal entered the picture.
