Arsenal have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
The Gunners have been keeping close tabs on the England international all summer, but that pursuit looks set to come to an end. That’s because Tottenham have reportedly agreed a £60million deal with the Eagles to sign Eze.
Spurs made a major breakthrough with Palace on Tuesday following days of talks over the deal, with multiple reports saying an agreement has now been reached that will see the 27-year-old move to north London.
An agreement on a fee remained the only factor to completing the deal after Eze gave the green light to Spurs last week.
Eze emerged as a priority signing for Thomas Frank after he lost James Maddison to a serious knee injury that could keep him out for the season. Spurs previously saw a move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White break down earlier in the window.
Eze’s substitution with five minutes remaining appeared to be a farewell moment before he stood to applaud the travelling away support on his own after full-time.
Palace have also reportedly started work to sign a replacement, with Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss and Club Brugge star Christos Tzolis both linked with a move to Selhurst Park.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner suggested that he expected Eze to still be available for Thursday’s Conference League qualifier against Fredrikstad, but that now appears unlikely.
Eze looks set to become Spurs’ sixth signing of the summer after the Lilywhites made Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel’s loans permanent, also signing Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Kota Takai.
Tottenham also reportedly remain interested in Manchester City winger Savinho and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche.
