BREAKING NEWS: I was very close to joining Arsenal but I can’t believe Arteta said this to the board for them not to complete the deal,I have respect for Him for long but now I have lost that respect for Him already because of what He said”, Eberechi Eze finally reveals what Arteta said to Palace board that is making Him to join Tottenham now
BREAKING NEWS: I was very close to joining Arsenal but I can’t believe Arteta said this to the board for them not to complete the deal,I have respect for Him for long but now I have lost that respect for Him already because of what He said”, Eberechi Eze finally reveals what Arteta said to Palace board that is making Him to join Tottenham now
Crystal Palace are braced for a bid from Tottenham this week for their star playmaker Eberechi Eze.
The 27-year-old is also admired by their north London rivals Arsenal but Daily Mail Sport understands Spurs are set to make their first formal offer for the England international in the coming days.
Eze has a release clause of about £68million in his contract although there have been suggestions that this agreement was due to expire at some time in August, leaving Crystal Palace free to set their own valuation.
Eze has two more years left on his contract at Selhurst Park but Palace anticipate offers before the window closes.
Eze likely availability creates a possible game of cat-and-mouse between the great north London rivals.
Each would be loath to bid officially for the player if there was a risk he could reject them in favour of joining the other.
Both clubs will compete in the Champions League this season. Daily Mail Sport has already reported that Arsenal will have to make significant sales if they are to fund a move for Eze.
The Gunners have already signed Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Cristhian Mosquera for almost £200m in total.
Players such as Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, and Albert Sambi Lokonga are all thought to be available.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have spent about £126m on Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Luka Vuskovic, Kota Takai, and Joao Palhinha, the latter with a loan fee.
They are also looking to negotiate a shock move for Savinho but Manchester City would demand significantly more than £50m for the Brazilian winger to leave.
Palace beat Liverpool on penalties on Sunday to lift the Community Shield and chairman Steve Parish whether he wanted Eze and Marc Guehi – another Spurs target – to stay.
Parish said: ‘Yeah of course, but listen, players come and go in football clubs. I mean it’s a life cycle isn’t it? Hopefully they’ll still be here, that’s what I’d like. But we’ll see.’
