Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks to sign Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, as widely reported, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has a price in mind.
Fabrizio Romano was among the reliable media outlets to confirm Spurs' negotiations for Eze in a separate deal to their pursuit of Man City winger Savinho, with supporters now poised for a potentially exciting end to the transfer window.
"Understand Tottenham are also back in talks for Eberechi Eze in separate deal from Savinho," wrote Romano on X.
"Spurs trying again for Eze while they work on Savinho, following Maddison injury and Son exit. Eze keen but deal depends on Palace as release clause expired."
Interestingly, other reliable media sources differ with Romano about Eze's £68 million release clause.
According to both talkSPORT and Standard Sport, the buy-out currently remains active and won't expire until this Friday - potentially giving Levy and co a window of opportunity to trigger it and make Eze a Spurs player.
In a further bit of good news for Thomas Frank, who is in dire need of another creative attacking player after James Maddison's ACL rupture, Eze is reportedly becoming open to joining Tottenham before the transfer deadline on September 1.
It is important to note that Frank's side face stiff competition from north London rivals Arsenal, who have been in pursuit of the 27-year-old for well over a month after holding consistent talks with his representatives (Fabrizio Romano).
However, Arsenal currently have to make sales first (The Telegraph), and that may be stopping them from making a formal bid for Eze.
Their hesitancy could hand Spurs an advantage in the race for Eze, especially considering Levy and technical director Johan Lange were ready to splash £60 million on Nottingham Forest's number 10, Morgan Gibbs-White, over a month ago.
The price Tottenham want to pay for Eberechi Eze
According to reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, Tottenham have a minimum valuation for the England international and an ideal price they're willing to pay, as Levy looks to strike a deal quickly.
Taking to X, Jacobs reports that Levy wants to pay a similar fee to their deal for winger Mohammed Kudus - around £55 million.
That being said, Palace have been clear in their demands to sell their star attacking asset.
"More on Eberechi Eze and Spurs. Fresh talks started in light of James Maddison injury and failure to land Morgan Gibbs-White. Eze a longstanding target, but earlier in the window Spurs had decided not to move.
"Spurs aware Arsenal have player buy in, but believe Eze has not discounted their project. Spurs also prepared to move quickly. Both Spurs and Arsenal view Eze as a No.10. Understand Spurs’ starting valuation similar to the £55m paid for Mohammed Kudus. Palace want £68m release clause triggered or matched, even after it expires."
Given Tottenham's glaring need for another forward option, after losing Son Heung-min to LAFC, Maddison to injury and being forced to deal with Dejan Kulusevski's continued absence, it is imperative that Levy pulls no punches here.
Eze appears set to cost a similar price to what they were more than prepared to pay for Gibbs-White, so the Lilywhites clearly have the necessary funds to meet Palace's valuation.
He'd be worth every penny, too, having averaged more shots, key passes and successful take-ons per 90 than any other Palace player in the Premier League last term - all whilst racking up 14 goals and a further 11 assists in all competitions.
Eze can also play on the left-wing when required, and you can make a serious case that he's exactly who Frank is crying out for.