Eberechi Eze could be on the move this summer, with Arsenal and Tottenham both interested.
The Crystal Palace No.10 enjoyed the best campaign of his career last season, netting 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, while also scoring his first for England.
Most impressively, however, the man from Greenwich scored the opening goal in the FA Cup quarter-final, semi-final and the final against Fulham, Aston Villa and Manchester City respectively to fire Crystal Palace to their first ever major trophy.
TBR Football understand Arsenal have held talks about signing Eze along with Tottenham after that special 2024/25 campaign, and the 27-year-old gave an indication as to which of the north London clubs he would prefer to join when speaking to Rising Ballers back in 2022.
Eberechi Eze called Arsenal his “dream” club
The Londoner actually played for Arsenal when he was younger, but found himself released by the Gunners at the age of 13.
When telling the story to Rising Ballers, Eze added that he views the Gunners as a “dream” club to play for.
He said: “Arsenal was probably the hardest (rejection). My dream was to play for them, so hearing them say no at 13 was tough. I remember training after I got released and I couldn’t focus, I was just crying whilst training.
“But I think that helped me so much in all the other rejections because if I can get through Arsenal releasing me, I can get through any other club releasing me.”
Those “other rejections” include Fulham, Reading and Millwall before QPR eventually took a chance on Eze – who Spurs arranged a private box for last season – in 2016, giving him a platform to develop before a £19.5m move to Crystal Palace ensued in 2020, and he hasn’t looked back with 40 goals in 167 appearances for the Eagles.
Eberechi Eze would still be open to Tottenham move
Despite his love for Arsenal, TBR Football understand Eze is still open to joining Tottenham this summer.
We also understand Crystal Palace are happy to accept his £68m release clause being paid in three instalments rather than a lump sum, making a deal more financially appealing to both Spurs and the Gunners this summer.