Arsenal have beaten Tottenham to the signing of Eberechi Eze in a £67.5m deal, with the midfielder set to miss Crystal Palace’s European debut tonight.
Eberechi Eze will not feature for Crystal Palace in their historic Europa Conference League clash tonight, with his £67.5million switch to Arsenal now imminent.
The 27-year-old midfielder had hoped to play in Palace’s first-ever European tie at Selhurst Park against Fredrikstad FK, but both clubs and the player have agreed to avoid any risk ahead of his move. Palace manager Oliver Glasner will instead rely on Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada and Jean-Philippe Mateta in the playoff round fixture.
Arsenal swooped late to secure Eze’s signature, hijacking the deal from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who believed they had wrapped up the transfer. The England international, who came through Arsenal’s youth ranks, chose the Gunners over Spurs and is set to undergo a medical before Saturday’s Premier League game against Leeds United.
Eze’s versatility — with the ability to play as a winger, central midfielder or No.10 — makes him Mikel Arteta’s seventh signing this summer, taking the club’s spending beyond £250million.