Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to get a deal to sign Eberechi Eze over the line in the hope of replacing the injured James Maddison.
Eze shared a moment alone with Crystal Palace fans after the full-time whistle at Stamford Bridge in what looked to be a goodbye from the attacker.
TBR Football revealed last week that Tottenham had re-ignited talks for Eze in the aftermath of James Maddison’s ACL injury.
The 27-year-old’s move hit some slight complications over the weekend, but Spurs have now been told that the deal can go ahead if one final hurdle is cleared.
Crystal Palace will sanction Eberechi Eze to Tottenham once a replacement is sorted
Crystal Palace are ready to sanction Eberechi Eze’s move to Tottenham Hotspur once a replacement is sorted for the winger, according to Ben Jacobs.
Tottenham had been confident about signing Eze, TBR Football revealed, but his involvement in Palace’s Premier League opener will have just cast some doubt over the deal.
On Friday night, the South London club hit the brakes over a deal for the 27-year-old on Friday, in the hope of sorting a replacement first.
Palace are now in talks with Leicester City for Bilal El Khannouss and Club Brugge attacker Christos Tzolis is also another option for them.
But once that has been sorted, it is believed that Steve Parrish will allow Eze to make his desired move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “What I can tell you is that as of this morning, Tottenham are still confident that they are going to sign the Crystal Palace attacker, starting against Chelsea and even after Oliver Glasner’s comments saying he will be involved on Thursday in the UEFA Conference League.
“On Friday night, Palace put the brakes on a deal for Eze under his £68m release clause, which has now expired. The reason for that was not because of a road block for Spurs and Palace, but because Palace did not have a replacement and still don’t have one lined up.
“But they’re in talks for Bilal El Khannouss at Leicester, his relegation release clause is now expired and Leicester want £30m.
“The Club Brugge attacker Christos Tzolis is another option, as well. So, Crystal Palace are actively seeking replacements. If they find one, they will sanction the Eze exit. Even if they don’t, they will be understanding of Eze’s desire to leave for Spurs.”
Tottenham and Crystal Palace close to Eberechi Eze agreement
Crucially, Tottenham and Palace are believed to be close to reaching an agreement in principle over the fee for Eze.
Steve Parrish and Daniel Levy have been in talks over a deal for the 27-year-old and appear to be close to agreeing on a fee for the winger.
“Eze has agreed personal terms with Spurs and told Palace he wants to leave. There is no sign of an Arsenal hijack,” Jacobs added.
“So my expectation is that it’s just about timing now, Tottenham will want to be respectful to Palace and their search for a replacement.
“But in terms of the fee, maybe not the structure yet, the agreement between Spurs and Palace is almost agreed in principle.
“Steve Parrish and Daniel Levy, two of the most respected and toughest negotiators in the business, but they are on the same page, I am told.”
Tottenham look set to finally get a deal for the Palace forward over the line, having been targeting him since at least 2018.