Tottenham Hotspur are ramping up their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze in a bid to beat Arsenal to his signature. Spurs sense an opportunity to outmaneuver their North London rivals after James Maddison's serious injury created an urgent need for attacking reinforcement.
Arsenal have maintained long-standing interest in the 27-year-old England international but have yet to submit a formal transfer bid, as The Independent reports. The club's hesitation has opened the door for Tottenham to make their move despite not pressing their interest earlier in the summer.
Transfer deadline pressure
Eze's release clause of approximately £68 million expires on August 15th, creating a crucial deadline for any potential suitors, as The Independent revealed. The clause only applies to this transfer window, meaning clubs must act swiftly if they want to secure the guaranteed route to signing the Palace forward.
Crystal Palace's Eze scored the winning goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, demonstrating his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, the BBC reported. His proven track record and England international status make him an attractive proposition for both North London clubs.
Arsenal's cautious approach
Arsenal's transfer strategy is being hampered by their preference to sell players before making major signings, according to multiple sources. The Independent confirmed that Arsenal are open to approaches for Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Jakob Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Reiss Nelson as they look to balance their books.
A move for Nelson to Fulham has been discussed, but the player prefers a one-season loan deal. The Gunners' cautious financial approach may yet prove costly in their pursuit of Eze, with Tottenham prepared to move more decisively.
Much will depend on whether Eze is clear on his preferred destination and willing to wait for Arsenal to complete their outgoings first. The 27-year-old forward remains open to joining Tottenham despite their late entry into the race.
Sources used: "PA Media", "The Independent", "BBC" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
