Arsenal - Eberechi Eze
Image credit: Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of sealing a move for Eberechi Eze after Arsenal withdrew their interest in the Crystal Palace star.
Spurs are increasingly confident of finalising a deal worth over £60 million for the England international, with personal terms already believed to be agreed. Eze himself is keen on the switch to last season’s Europa League winners, paving the way for a decisive breakthrough in negotiations.
Crystal Palace are expected to omit the 27-year-old from their squad for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Chelsea, as the club begins planning for life without him. The Eagles have already opened talks with Leicester City regarding a potential move for Bilal El Khannouss as a replacement.
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Earlier this summer, Arsenal appeared to be Eze’s preferred destination, withFabrizio Romano reporting that the midfielder was open to returning to the club that released him as a teenager. However, the Gunners have opted against pursuing the deal, satisfied with their current options in attacking midfield.
Max Dowman with Ethan Nwaneri
15-year old Max Dowman with Ethan Nwaneri (Image credit: Getty Images)
Much of that decision stems from Ethan Nwaneri’s new contract, following a breakthrough campaign last season that saw the teenager emerge as one of Hale End’s brightest prospects. The 18-year-old had attracted strong interest from Chelsea but has now committed his future to Arsenal.
Alongside Max Dowman, another highly rated academy talent, Nwaneri’s progression has given Mikel Arteta further confidence in his squad depth.
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Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s league opener, Arteta praised the versatility within his squad: “I think we have great versatility, very different qualities in relation to the opposition as well. We can manipulate that and have some great cohesion within those units. So, I’m very happy with that.”
On the club’s transfer business this summer, the Spaniard added: “It’s not just supporting me, of course, but supporting the team, supporting the vision, the idea and especially the ambition and the level that we are playing. We have to improve the squad, we have to improve the quality and depth of that squad, and we certainly have done it in a really great way.”
With Arsenal stepping aside, Tottenham now appear to have a clear path to making Eze one of their marquee signings of the summer.
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