Eberechi Eze has been told to snub interest from Arsenal and sign for their north London rivals, Tottenham, instead. The talented Crystal Palace star is subject to transfer interest this summer, with a move away from Selhurst Park expected to follow although Arsenal are reluctant to pay the fee required.
Eze helped guide Palace to their first-ever trophy win last term, defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, with the England international netting the game’s decisive goal. However, shortly after lifting the famous old trophy, Eze admitted in an interview that he has ambitions of competing for silverware on a regular basis, fuelling speculation that a transfer could follow.
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It appears that could be the case, with The Athletic reporting Arsenal and Spurs are exploring the possibility of signing Eze this summer. However, the Premier League runners-up aren't believed to be keen on paying Eze's £68million release clause and would prefer to strike a deal for less.
But, according to one former Premier League manager, signing for the Gunners would be a mistake anyway, with a switch to Spurs the better option for his career. Speaking on talkSPORT, ex-Newcastle United and Palace boss Alan Pardew said: "My Arsenal friends, all June (said) if they get the right number nine, they’ve got a great chance of winning the league and I do agree with that.
"Would Eze take them nearer to that title? Possibly but I think they’ve got enough quality with everybody there… I think he should go to Spurs if he leaves the great Crystal Palace."
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Eze joined the south Londoners in 2020, signing from fellow capital club Queens Park Rangers. His most recent contract extension with Palace came in 2023, with two years still to run on his existing deal. As such, Pardew has questioned whether Palace will buckle and sell for less than the rumoured £68million release clause.
The manager-turned-pundit added: "He’s secured for two or three years on his contract so I think they can be a bit bolder. I don’t think there’s any financial pressure there. They have new owners into Crystal Palace, more funds coming in. So I think Eze will stay and I don’t think that’s a bad thing because I think he’s one of those he doesn’t get stressed out by things. He’s quite a cool guy, he’s quite grounded. I think he’ll have another great year at Crystal Palace, hopefully.”
Palace are guaranteed to be playing European football next season, even if Oliver Glasner’s side don’t yet know if that will be in the Europa League or the Conference League. It’s six weeks until the new Premier League season gets underway, with the transfer window set to run until September 1.