Eberechi Eze transfer latest: Tottenham and Arsenal interest, clear message, replacement search

Eberechi Eze is one of the names on everyone’s lips going into the final two weeks of the summer transfer window.

The Crystal Palace star has been of interest to Arsenal throughout the summer. However, it now seems that Tottenham Hotspur have taken the lead in the race for the England international.

Spurs are on the lookout for a replacement for attacking midfielder James Maddison who is starting his recovery from a serious knee injury. He is expected to miss the majority of the 2025/26 season.

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As Spurs step up their interest in Eze, there were some reports that he would be left out of the squad for Palace’s games against Chelsea. That however wasn’t the case.

Here is the latest on the midfielder’s future.

Clear message sent

Despite the speculation over his future, Eze was named in the starting XI for Palace’s Premier League match against Chelsea on Sunday.

Explaining the decision to Sky Sports before the match, Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: “I mentioned it in the press conference, Marc (Guehi) and Ebs trained well for the whole week, there's no reason not to start to start him. Good advice to all the children, don't believe everything they're reading in the newspapers."

Eze almost made a big impact in the first half of the game, putting a thunderbolt of a free-kick past Robert Sanchez and into the back of the net to give Palace what they thought was a lead.

However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR check with Marc Guehi adjudged to have been too close to the Chelsea wall.

Replacement search

Amid the talk over Eze’s future it seems that Palace are now looking for a replacement. On Saturday it was claimed that the Eagles had made an approach to Leicester City over attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss, who is high on their list.

It has emerged on Sunday that Palace have also looking at Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. Palace are said to have seen a bid rejected by the Belgian club, but are expected to go in with an improved offer.

Release clause

Eze did have a release clause in his contract at Palace worth a reported £68 million. However, that clause expired on Friday night, meaning that it gives slightly more control to Palace.

It is however claimed that Eze is still expected to leave Palace this summer, with the Athletic claiming that he has told the club of his wish to join Spurs before the deadline.