Eberechi Eze's boyhood allegiance to Arsenal has been revealed in unseen footage that has circulated online.
Crystal Palace star Eze is being strongly linked with a move to Tottenham, and Daily Mail Sport reported on Sunday how Thomas Frank's side are expected to offer around £55million plus bonuses for the midfielder.
It comes after Eze has emerged as one of the most wanted targets in the transfer market this summer following his sparkling performances over recent seasons for the Eagles.
His release clause of £60million plus a further £8m in add ons expired last week but Spurs are stepping up their attempts to sign him as they search for more attacking reinforcements after James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of the season with a knee ligament injury.
Arsenal had been touted with an interest in Eze earlier this summer but that subsequently cooled, with Spurs instead emerging as front -runners for the 27-year-old.
But, in footage that circulated on social media over the weekend, an old clip from 2018 showed Eze talking about his history with Arsenal.
When asked by journalist Alessandro Morolli-Schiavone who his favourite Premier League club were, Eze - who was a QPR player at the time - replied: 'Arsenal.'
After being pressed on why, Eze added: 'I've just supported them from young, the way they play. I played with them when I was younger as well so they're my favourite team.'
Eze was in the youth system at Arsenal during his formative years before he was released at the age of 13.
He subsequently spent time in the academies at Fulham, Reading and Millwall but ultimately made his professional breakthrough at QPR.
The 27-year-old, who was a key player for the Rs at the time of the interview in November 2018, was then probed on whether he would be interested in a move to Arsenal given his affiliation.
'I don't know about all of that,' said Eze as he awkwardly laughed about the question. 'But I'm a QPR player now and I'm happy to be playing for QPR and it's going well at the moment.'
Given his Arsenal background, Eze was also asked about his thoughts on a move to Tottenham and whether that would be off the table as a result.
Again, Eze, clearly keen not to talk about transfers, laughed and said: 'Listen, I don't know about any of this... but I don't know, maybe.'
It must be noted that footballers rarely transfer their childhood support into their professional career.
NOTE with embedded video: Eze does not say he 'would never join Tottenham'
In response to other questions within the interview, Eze backed Arsenal for the Premier League title in the 2018-19 season, while he also said Gunners star Mesut Ozil was the most underrated player in the top flight.
He was then pressed further on where his love for Arsenal came from.
'When I was younger, Thierry Henry... I used to love Thierry Henry,' Eze explained.
'And that's sort of why I decided to sign for them when I was younger (because) to play for the club you support is what I want to do.
'Just growing up with them, playing for them and everything and I've just grown a love for the team... so yeah that's it really.'