Eberechi Eze’s Arsenal move could be confirmed as early as the weekend.
Tottenham have revived their interested in Manchester City’s Savinho.
Jean-Philippe Mateta fired Crystal Palace to a win over Fredrikstad on their European bow.
Arsenal close to Eze deal
Eberechi Eze has possibly played his last match for Crystal Palace
Eberechi Eze has possibly played his last match for Crystal Palace(John Walton/PA)
Eberechi Eze’s £60million transfer from Crystal Palace to Arsenal could be confirmed as early as this weekend, the PA news agency understands.
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It is believed the finishing touches on a deal to sign the 27-year-old, which catapults Arsenal’s spending to beyond £250m, are all but completed.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner revealed Eze, who was missing from his squad for their Conference League play-off at Selhurst Park, rang his manager on Thursday morning to say he could not play.
Eze is set to become Arsenal’s seventh signing of the summer after they moved to hijack Tottenham’s bid for the England international.
His stunning move to the Emirates accelerated this week following a knee injury sustained by Kai Havertz.
The Germany international came on as a second-half substitute in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Manchester United, and completed the game, but he did not participate in the club’s open training session at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Spurs revive Savinho interests
Tottenham have revived their interest in Manchester City’s Savinho
Tottenham have revived their interest in Manchester City’s Savinho(Martin Rickett/PA)
Tottenham have swiftly moved on to different targets after they missed out on Eberechi Eze and remain interested in the potential signing of Manchester City’s Savinho, the PA news agency understands.
Spurs were all set to capture Eze after they reached an agreement with Crystal Palace on Wednesday for a £60million plus £7.5m in adds-on deal until Arsenal swooped in to hijack the transfer of the England international.
Eze would have filled the creative void at Tottenham left by James Maddison, who is set to miss the rest of the season after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee earlier this month, but Thomas Frank must now shift focus elsewhere.
Talks were opened between Spurs and Manchester City on August 11 regarding the versatile Savinho, who made 48 appearances and produced 13 assists in his debut campaign at Etihad Stadium.
While dialogue cooled as Tottenham explored a big-money move for Eze over the past week, Savinho is still a target for the north London club, PA understands, and reports in Brazil suggest an 80million euros (£69.2m) bid is being prepared.
Palace claim maiden European win
First part of the journey complete 🤝 pic.twitter.com/k4GSqXa31m
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 21, 2025
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored an historic opener as Crystal Palace beat Fredrikstad 1-0 at Selhurst Park in the opening leg of their Conference League play-off.
Palace’s first foray into major European competition was overshadowed by the absence of Eberechi Eze from the team sheet.
Eagles boss Oliver Glasner had initially insisted Eze would start, but told Channel 5 before the contest that the 27-year-old had phoned him on Thursday morning to say he did not feel well.
Mateta finally nodded the hosts in front in the 54th minute, and the Frenchman’s goal proved the winner after the Eagles could not capitalise on any further chances.
Captain Marc Guehi, still linked to Liverpool, was in the starting line-up.
Fofana “happy” despite Instagram stunt
Wesley Fofana removed all references to Chelsea from his Instagram on Wednesday
Wesley Fofana removed all references to Chelsea from his Instagram on Wednesday(Zac Goodwin/PA)
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said Wesley Fofana has not indicated he wants to leave after the defender removed pictures of himself playing for the club from his Instagram account.
The 24-year-old, who was an unused substitute during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace, previously did the same in 2022 as he sought a move away from Leicester, just before sealing a £70million switch to Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old academy graduate Josh Acheampong was preferred alongside Trevoh Chalobah for the Palace stalemate despite a long-term injury to fellow central defender Levi Colwill, though Maresca said afterwards that it was never in his plans to use Fofana, who missed a large part of last season after injuring his hamstring in December.
“I spoke with Wes every day, he’s very happy, first of all because he’s back from injury, he’s joining all the sessions with us,” said Maresca.
“He was on the bench just to be with us but from (Friday) he can get some minutes. We are happy, he is happy. About Instagram, I don’t have any idea because I don’t use social networks.”
What’s on today?
West Ham and Chelsea will both aim for a first Premier League win of the season when the teams meet at the London Stadium.
Derby will also be seeking a first victory of the campaign at home to Bristol City, who will go top of the Championship with a win.
Raith Rovers host Dunfermline in the Scottish Championship.