Arsenal look set to complete a major transfer move for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze in a deal worth around £60 million ($81 million), with the England international left out of Palace’s squad for their Europa Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad on Thursday.
Eze, 27, was not named in either the starting lineup or among the substitutes by manager Oliver Glasner, sparking strong speculation that a transfer is imminent. The omission could mean the Selhurst Park faithful have already seen the last of the playmaker, who cemented his status as a club hero by scoring the decisive goal in May’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City — the first major trophy in Palace’s history.
Tottenham Hotspur had previously been frontrunners for Eze’s signature, but the move was derailed when Arsenal stepped in to hijack the deal. A switch to the Emirates would mark a homecoming of sorts for the midfielder, who was once released by the Gunners as a 13-year-old.
If completed, Eze would become Arsenal’s seventh signing of the summer window, taking their spending past £250 million. His arrival would add to a squad already strengthened by high-profile signings such as Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Eze has gathered pace following a knee injury to Kai Havertz. The German international featured in the 1-0 win over Manchester United last weekend but was absent from Wednesday’s open training session at the Emirates. His return date remains uncertain.
Manager Mikel Arteta, determined to end Arsenal’s 22-year wait for a Premier League title after finishing second to Liverpool last season, is eager to bolster his options. “If we don’t join hands and work together, then we’ve lost the hope of being the leaders we are supposed to be,” he recently remarked about building collective strength — a sentiment now reflecting his transfer approach.
Meanwhile, Spurs — who endured a poor domestic campaign by finishing 17th but lifted the Europa League trophy — have been left frustrated in their chase for Eze.
Arteta is expected to address the transfer speculation when he meets the press on Friday ahead of Arsenal’s weekend clash with Leeds United.
