Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze has both Arsenal and Tottenham hot on his heels during the final three weeks of this summer window, with the England international holding a preferred destination between the pair.
Eze was, by some distance, Oliver Glasner's standout attacking force last campaign, racking up 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, and Palace still face the very real threat of losing their talismanic number 10 before the transfer deadline on September 1.
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The 27-year-old's £68 million release clause (including bonuses) was thought to expire on August 1, but new information from the last few days has now revealed that the clause actually remains active until this Friday.
Arsenal were also once the main contenders to sign Eze, with some reports even suggesting they've reached an agreement on financial terms, but it appears sporting director Andrea Berta won't have a free run after all.
The Gunners have been in constant dialogue with Eze's representatives since early July, but they've stalled on making a formal bid for him thus far - allowing north London rivals Tottenham a chance to swoop in and open talks with Palace (Fabrizio Romano).
Spurs were after Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White as their top attacking target, but despite booking a medical for the 25-year-old and being ready to trigger his £60m release clause this time last month, Nuno Espirito Santo's side blocked the move, threatened legal action and convinced him to sign a new deal.
This has prompted them to turn to Eze, with Arsenal and Spurs now poised to battle for the former QPR star's services.
Eze averaged more shots at goal, key passes and successful take-ons per 90 than any other Palace player last season, and given Liverpool are now closing in on a deal for Marc Guehi, the Eagles would be severely weakened if they lose their star creator too.
The presence of his active release clause theoretically means one of Arsenal or Tottenham could swoop in to trigger it at any moment, and this remains a possibility over the next three days until it expires.
Eberechi Eze's "first preference" between Arsenal and Tottenham
If both clubs are prepared to pay £68 million, the result of this transfer race could come down to who Eze would rather join.
According to The Independent's Miguel Delaney, Eze does have a "first preference" between Arsenal and Tottenham.
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The reliable journalist has revealed that the club he'd rather join is Arsenal, but that isn't to completely discount Thomas Frank's side, as Eze remains open to potentially signing for them as well.
Given Mikel Arteta currently has captain Martin Odegaard and newly tied-down youngster Ethan Nwaneri at his disposal for the number 10 role, Spurs are arguably in more desperate need of Eze.
Frank missed out on Gibbs-White and James Maddison has just succumbed to an ACL rupture which will rule him out for most of the season, so Arsenal could compound real misery on their rivals by beating them to Eze's signature.