Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze will play for the Eagles against Chelsea despite transfer interest from Tottenham, according to latest reports.
It was reported - on Saturday - that there was a major doubt over whether the player would feature in the game, due to Spurs stepping up their interest. It, though, seems that it's now not the case, with The Times reporting that he’s in line to be named in the starting XI for the match.
Arsenal have also shown interest in Eze this summer, but have cooled their interest, with concentration currently on sorting outgoings from the club, following Ethan Nwaneri signing a new contract at the club. That has allowed arch rivals Spurs to step up their pursuit.
The report suggests that the club are yet to make a bid, but want to pay in the region of £50million for the player. The attacking midfielder is seen as a potential replacement for James Maddison - who will miss the majority of the season after undergoing surgery on a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
Palace start their Premier League charge in the 2pm kick-off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Athletic also report that Eze is now expected to start the game.
It's added that the Eagles continue to work on proposed replacements - and have made an approach to Leicester City over attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss. The Morocco international started the Foxes' Championship clash against Preston North End on Saturday, but was taken off at half-time after failing to make an impact in the first 45 minutes.
Speaking before the game, Palace manager Oliver Glasner said that he expected the midfielder as well as defender Marc Guehi to start the game despite both being linked with moves away.
"I've been in football long enough that I know every day, almost every time of the day, that things can happen," he said. "But if you ask me now, yes I expect both [with be] starting for us on Sunday."