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DEADLINE APPROACHING

Transfer news LIVE: Nicolas Jackson and Bayern ‘AGREE TERMS’, Isak LATEST, Spurs ‘£60m Paz bid REJECTED’, Disasi OUT

Liverpool approve record Isak bid

TRANSFER Deadline Day is fast approaching as clubs look to finalise their summer business before the September 1 deadline!

A number of the Chelsea 'bomb squad' are linked with moves out of the club in the next few days, but reports from Germany say a blockbuster move from Bayern for Nicolas Jackson is close after the two parties agreed personal terms.

SunSport exclusively revealed last week that Liverpool have sanctioned a British record £130million move for Alexander Isak this week.

In other news, Tottenham have reportedly seen their improved bid of £60m for Nico Paz rejected by Como.

Meanwhile, PSG outcast Gianluigi Donnarumma has agreed personal terms with Manchester City, according to reports.

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Follow ALL the latest news, moves and completed deals with our live blog below...

Kiwior exit?

Arsenal star Jakub Kiwior is needed to be sold for the Gunners to press ahead with a move for Piero Hincapie.

The defender has been linked with the likes of Roma, Porto and West Ham this summer.

Tanganga switch

Former Tottenham ace Japhet Tanganga is set for a switch within the Championship.

Sky Sports have reported that Sheffield United have agreed a deal to sign the defender from Millwall.

He is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days ahead of signing his new contract.

Tanganga was left out of the Lions squad as they beat the Blades on Saturday.

Cherry picked

Bournemouth have loaned out goalkeeper Alex Paulsen.

The New Zealand stopper, 23, has joined Polish side Lechia Gdansk for the 2025/2026 season.

Huge Mainoo queue

Manchester United are braced for a flurry of enquiries for Kobbie Mainoo after his future was plunged into doubt.

There are roughly TEN clubs from around Europe and in the Premier League keeping track of the midfielder.

Brighton, Chelsea and Spurs are all said to be interested.

Antony update

Manchester United have reportedly continued talks with Real Betis over Antony.

The Daily Telegraph have claimed that there is hope an agreement can be reached.

Antony spent the tail end of last season on loan at the Seville-based club and rediscovered his mojo.

Schmid deal

West Ham are reportedly exploring a deal to sign Romano Schmid from Werder Bremen.

The Hammers are DESPERATE to reinforce their midfield before the transfer window shuts.

Sky Germany have claimed that talks are ongoing between the clubs to see if the Austrian can make the switch.

Bakwa bid rejected

Nottingham Forest have reportedly seen their third bid for Dilane Bakwa turned down.

The Tricky Trees offered £30million for the Strasbourg winger only to see it rejected, according to the BBC.

Villa move

Aston Villa have made a move to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado.

El País has claimed that the Villans have matched Barcelona's £25million valuation for the midfielder.

When does the transfer window shut?

The transfer window will slam shut in under one week.

Clubs will no longer be able to do business after 7pm on September 1.

Forest chase winger

Nottingham Forest are not being deterred in their attempts to sign Dilane Bakwa from Strasbourg.

Reports in France have claimed that the Tricky Trees have already seen two bids rejected for the winger.

It is now claimed that they will return with another offer in order to prize him away.

The Ligue 1 side values Bakwa at £30.2million

EXCLUSIVE: Palace line up Guehi replacement

Crystal Palace have tabled an ambitious bid ahead of transfer deadline day for Man City star Manuel Akanji.

Sources have told SunSport the FA Cup winners have offered £15million for Akanji, 30.

Silva exit

Wolves are closing in on the sale of flop striker Fabio Silva.

The Portuguese forward is wanted by Borussia Dortmund after impressing out on loan.

Sky Sports have claimed that the two teams are just £4.3million apart on their valuations.

Wolves are looking for a deal worth £26m.

Guehi race

Marc Guehi is reportedly gaining interest from Manchester City as well as Liverpool.

Crystal Palace do not want to lose another star name after Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal.

The Daily Star have claimed that the Cityzens are threatening Liverpool's move.

Wrexham targets

Wrexham are not done in the transfer market just yet and are keen on signing another midfielder this summer.

The Hollywood-owned club have been linked with both West Ham's Andy Irving and Southampton's Will Smallbone.

The Saints star is expected to cost £7.5million while Irving would be cheaper in terms of a transfer fee.

Hojlund nears exit

Rasmus Hojlund is reportedly nearing the exit door at Old Trafford.

The unwanted striker could be on his way to Napoli, according to reports.

It has been claimed that Man United and Napoli had positive talks today over a deal.

It is suggested that Hojlund would move to Naples on a loan with a mandatory.

The Red Devils would pocket £4.3m for the initial loan and then a further £34.5m once the deal is made permanent.

Jackson exit agreed

Bayern Munich have agreed terms over a move to Germany with Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson.

Bild have claimed that the personal terms have been sorted but there is still work to do on the deal between the clubs.

Bayern are considering a loan move as sporting directors Max Eberl and Christoph Freund are "not allowed" to by an offensive player.

This means that a loan is more likely and then Bayern may add an option to make the move permanent.

DONE DEAL: Dibling joins Everton

Everton have confirmed the signing of teenage star Tyler Dibling from Southampton.

The winger, 19, joins the Toffees in a deal worth up to £42million.

He has signed a contract at the Hill Dickinson stadium running until the end of June 2029.

More from West Ham

The Hammers are set for a busy week to try and bolster their squad after an embarrassing start to the season.

Defender Emerson has reportedly been linked with a FREE TRANSFER to Marseille, while Lucas Paqueta is also tipped for an exit.

In terms of incomings, the club has been linked with Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough and Yves Bissouma of Tottenham Hotspur.

Tsimikas loan

Liverpool have reportedly been approached by AS Roma over a loan deal for Kostas Tsimikas.

The Italian side are keen on a loan move for the defender but the Reds would prefer a sale.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Greek international is keen on the switch.

He has also suggested that there are two more clubs in the running.

DONE DEAL: Leeds confirm Justin

Leeds have completed the signing of James Justin from Leicester City.

The defender has moved to Elland Road on a four-year contract.

It is believed the Yorkshire side forked out £10million to seal the deal for the full back.

Mainoo exit?

Kobbie Mainoo could be set for a shock exit from Old Trafford.

The promising midfielder is reportedly open to a move after dropping down the pecking order.

Manager Ruben Amorim has urged Mainoo to compete with Bruno Fernandes to increase his game time.

Brighton are among a host of clubs that are claimed to be interested in his services.

Soucek stay

West Ham star Tomas Soucek is set to stay at the club after a reported bid was rejected.

Reports have suggested that Everton made a move for the Czech star.

A transfer would have seen the midfielder reunite with former manager David Moyes.

However, the Hammers have turned down the offer, with them looking to recruit rather than sell.

Newcastle see £50m Strand Larsen bid rejected

Newcastle have had a massive £50million offer for Jorgen Strand Larsen knocked back by Wolves.

Wolves have made it clear the Norwegian striker is not for sale at any price, slamming the door shut on the Magpies’ approach.

Eddie Howe’s side are desperate to land a new forward, with top scorer Alexander Isak facing a possible exit before the window shuts.

But it’s been a summer of setbacks for Newcastle in the market and this latest rejection adds to their growing frustration.

Big goalkeeping decision at Manchester United

Manchester United’s move for Royal Antwerp stopper Senne Lammens could spell the end for one of their current goalkeepers, according to Football Insider.

The report claims that either Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir is at risk of being sold before the transfer window slams shut next week.

Lammens is heading to Old Trafford to serve as back-up and push whoever holds the No1 shirt this season.

TOTTENHAM have little time to lick their wounds over arch-rivals Arsenal pinching Eberechi Eze from under noses.

A new No10 remains the target before the transfer deadline closes in a week, despite Thomas Frank’s excellent start to life as Spurs boss.

Two wins out of two against Burnley and Manchester City do not mask the need for more creativity.

Especially with James Maddison, 28, out for most of the season with a serious knee injury.

And particularly when the hurly-burly of a busy campaign involving Champions League football kicks into gear next month.

SunSport takes a look at some of the options Spurs are believed to be considering.

Nico Paz

SPURS are believed to have had a bid of around £50m knocked back by Cesc Fabregas’ Como for this exciting 20-year-old.

Paz showed just why Tottenham like him with a man-of-the-match display in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lazio. First, he supplied a brilliant assist for Tasos Douvikas’ opener, spinning round an opponent before sliding in an inch-perfect pass that split open the Lazio defence.

Then Paz curled home an exquisite free-kick with his wand of a left foot to wrap up the win with 18 minutes to go.

The problem for Tottenham is Real Madrid, who sold Paz to Como last year, appear keen on the signing him back in a year’s time so he may well stay where he is for now.

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Boss Fabregas, formerly of Arsenal of course, said after the game: “I know that (Paz) is very happy at Como, he wants to be a top player.”

Likelihood: 2/5

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Maghnes Akliouche

MONACO’S midfield magician, full of tricks and flicks, is one possible solution.

The 23-year-old’s impressive ball manipulation on both feet at speed in theory would be a great fit with Spurs’ fleet-footed widemen.

Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert will know him well from the France Under-21s, while Eric Dier is now a team-mate at Monaco.

Akliouche is said to be available for around £60million - similar to what Tottenham were willing to spend on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eze.

While no deal is close at present, the Monaco man may be the most likely candidate to fill Spurs' vacancy in attacking midfield.

Likelihood: 4/5

Bilal El Khannouss

A MOVE that would see Spurs go from hijacked to hijacker.

After losing out to Arsenal for Palace’s Eze, the option of pursuing the player the Eagles have targeted as Eze’s replacement appears to be there.

Spurs need only look back to their home defeat to Leicester last season in January for a reference on El Khannouss’ quality.

The Moroccan, 21, struck the Foxes’ second to complete an unlikely 2-1 turnaround, and was left out of Leicester's 1-0 win at Charlton on Saturday.

But sources have played down the likelihood of Tottenham actually moving for the Championship star.

Likelihood: 2/5

Lucas Paqueta

LIKE East London buses, could two transfers from West Ham to Spurs come along at once, after an age without one?

Mohammed Kudus’ £55m switch from the Irons to Tottenham earlier this summer was the first since Scott Parker 11 years ago.

Following up the Ghanaian’s capture by landing Paqueta too would be a stunning turn of events.

Paqueta, finally past his spot-fixing charge hell, reminded the footballing world of his talent with a brilliant opener against Chelsea on Friday.

Sadly for West Ham, they ended up being pummelled 5-1 and already look in dire straits two games into the season.

Can they really afford to let go of such a talent when a possible fight for Prem survival looks on the cards this season?

Likelihood: 2/5

Savinho

TECHNICALLY not a No10, but he could play there, provided Spurs stump up enough cash to persuade Man City to sell.

Pep Guardiola seems happy to keep the Brazilian, 21, whom they only brought in last season from sister club Troyes.

Savinho himself is believed to be open to the move. Coming to Spurs would give him regular game-time, and in the Champions League, in a World Cup year.

After the disappointments of Eze and Gibbs-White, this transfer would be one to get Spurs fans excited.

Spurs may well have to break their transfer record, currently set at £65m for Dominic Solanke last term, to land Savinho. But will they do it?

Likelihood: 3/5

FORMER England and Tottenham star Andy Sinton is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack on Friday evening.

The 59-year-old who earned 12 caps for the Three Lions in the 1990s is said to be on the mend after receiving medical treatment.

One of his former clubs QPR — where he now works as a club ambassador — shared the news and offered a heartfelt message of support to the former midfielder.

In a statement on X, the Championship outfit said: “On Friday evening, our club ambassador, Andy Sinton suffered a heart attack.

“We are pleased to say he is now recovering in hospital.

"Please join us in wishing Sints well.”

Fans of the West London side as well as supporters from across the football world flooded social media with messages of support for Sinton, affectionately known as "Sints" to many.

Sinton was included in Graham Taylor's England squad for the 1992 European Championship, playing in two games as the Three Lions were eliminated in the group stage.

Sinton also represented his country during the 1994 World Cup qualification campaign, as England ultimately failed to qualify for the tournament.

He is best remembered for a top-flight playing career as a midfielder that included standout stints at QPR, Tottenham and Sheffield Wednesday — earning plaudits for his tireless engine and pinpoint crossing ability.

He also turned out for Cambridge United and Brentford earlier in his career before rounding off his professional playing days at Wolves.

Following his time in the Football League, Sinton continued playing in non-league football with clubs such as Burton Albion, Bromsgrove Rovers, and finally at AFC Telford United, where he later also managed.

But it’s in retirement where he’s arguably had an even more profound impact — giving back to the game through his role at QPR’s Community Trust.

In 2022 Sinton joined 60 fundraisers, including fellow QPR legend Marc Bircham, on a charity walk from Craven Cottage to Loftus Road.

The walk was held in aid of the QPR Tiger Cubs, the club’s Down’s syndrome team, as part of the EFL’s Week of Action, a campaign showcasing community work across all 72 clubs.

Sinton, who has always been passionate about using football as a force for good, was front and centre of the walk, smiling and chatting with fans and participants alike.

His tireless work for the Community Trust has made him a popular figure with R’s fans old and new — many of whom only know of his legendary playing days through stories passed down generations.

FOOTIE fans are convinced James Trafford should've been given a red card for his challenge on Mohammed Kudus.

The Manchester City goalkeeper collided with Spurs' summer signing in the 38th minute of the Etihad clash as he raced out of the box to try and cut out the ball.

Kudus controlled the ball onto his chest just outside the 18-yard box before it hit Trafford.

The on-rushing Trafford's right leg, however, collided with the stomach of the Kudus.

The travelling Spurs faithful were furious after seeing Kudus left in a heap.

To make matters worse, replays of the incident showed that Trafford's right arm took the ball out of Kudus' path.

And fans watching at home couldn't quite believe that Trafford escaped punishment from the referee Peter Bankes or VAR Andy Madley.

One wrote on X: "Surely that should be a red card for James Trafford?"

Another said: "REPLAY SHOWS THAT JAMES TRAFFORD CLEARLY REMOVES THE BALL OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH HIS ARM!"

And another said: "James Trafford. How is that not a red?"

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One remarked: "That should've been a red.

"A horror tackle and a handball outside the box from James Trafford."

Another chimed in: "So James Trafford just kicks Kudus in the stomach then handballs it outside the box.

"Not a peep from VAR."

Spurs were 1-0 up at the time of the collision thanks to a tap-in from Brennan Johnson.

And they went 2-0 up in stoppage time thanks to Joao Palhinha's first goal for the club, which came about following a hospital pass in the box from Trafford.

Gaurdiola's troops huffed and puffed, but they couldn't find a way back into the game and suffered their first defeat of the season.

FORMER Tottenham star Serge Aurier has responded after the Iranian FA said he could be ruled out for six months with hepatitis B.

The defender signed for Iranian side Persepolis FC last month after spending a year without a club.

But he has been banned from playing football by the Iran FA after it was claimed he has contracted the viral infection.

Aurier, 32, is yet to make an appearance for his new side and was forced to sit out a draw against Fajr-Sepasi.

The Iranian Football Federation reported that he would be placed in isolation after being diagnosed with hepatitis B, which typically lasts for one to three months.

After three months Aurier will be tested again and he will either be cleared or forced to wait another three months for the infection to clear.

Hepatitis B is present in most bodily fluids and is typically transmitted through blood and sexual contact.

Symptoms include a high temperature, fatigue, feeling sick or being sick and pain in the upper stomach.

In response to the diagnosis the Iranian FA has banned Aurier and they released a statement on the matter on their official website.

It reads: "By virtue of a temporary order issued by the disciplinary committee of the Football Federation, Mr. Serge Aurier is banned from all football activities, including attending club training, until further notice."

However Aurier has responded to the reports on his Snapchat account saying that he "is here at training", and that there "is nothing to report, everything's fine".

He was pictured in his training kit along with a team-mate.

Persepolis also considered terminating his contract, according to local media.

Aurier had been without a club after leaving Galatasaray last year, with Persepolis the eighth club of his career.

Maguire on Manchester United future

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been speaking about is future amid growing reports that he could leave the club this summer.

Maguire is quoted by the Manchester Evening News: " Last year, the clause was in their hands, so there was no option for me there.

"There was no talking. It was just that they activated it, and it got extended. This year, obviously I'm up at the end of the year.

"I'm pretty sure the club have made it aware this summer that I can't leave the club on any terms with other clubs enquiring about my things and my position with my contract.

"I'm sure over the next few months they'll sit down and we'll have to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend, or obviously the transfer window will open again in January."

Napoli considering Hojlund approach

Napoli are open to including an obligation to buy in a loan deal for Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund, according to Sky in Italy.

AC Milan failed to convince Hojlund to join them because they were only offering a loan with an option to buy. He wanted more certainty over his future.

Napoli had been proposing a similarly structured deal initially; however, they have opened up to including a mandatory buy option.

Sky in Italy report that Hojlund is head coach Antonio Conte's top priority and Napoli are ready to make a significant investment in the striker.

DEJAN KULUSEVSKI faces several more months on the sidelines in a fresh blow to Tottenham boss Thomas Frank.

The Sweden captain, 25, had knee surgery days after missing the Europa League triumph in May.

Kulusevski was a key player for Spurs last term with ten goals and 11 assists in 50 games.

But he is not expected to return to action until the turn of the year.

Kulusevski tried to be upbeat with an Instagram clip of himself on an air bike, captioned: “Your favourite player will be back soon.”

But his setback adds to Frank’s No 10 crisis.

Playmaker James Maddison is expected to miss most of the season with an ACL injury sustained in a pre-season game against Newcastle earlier this month.

Spurs thought they had landed Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White in July, only for him to sign a new contract at the City Ground.

And their move for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze was hijacked by Arsenal on Wednesday — despite agreeing terms with both the Eagles and the player.

It leaves Frank desperately looking for attacking additions before the transfer window closes.

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Spurs are keen on Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, 23, but face competition from German clubs.

Como’s Nico Paz, 20, is also on their radar, along with Southampton winger Tyler Dibling, 19.

Frank's men travel to Manchester City tomorrow for a daunting early season test.

EZE come, Eze go!

Thomas Frank’s Spurs may have missed out on Eberechi Eze — but there’s no time to rest as they go to Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime.

And while there will be questions asked in the boardroom over transfer activity, Frank will be scratching his head over how to stop City's new superstar, Tijjani Reijnders.

The 26-year-old arrived from AC Milan before the Club World Cup in a £46million move as the successor to the creative void being left behind by the legendary Kevin De Bruyne.

And the Dutchman enjoyed one of the best debuts you are likely to see in the Premier League, scoring, assisting and becoming the heartbeat of City's play throughout their opener against Wolves.

And SunSport’s tactics man DEAN SCOGGINS — in our hit show Tactics Exposed — is asked how Tottenham will put the shackles on him?

WILL FRANK PARK THE BUS?

Well, I’m not sure you can call it parking the bus, as they WILL attack.

But if the question is if they will play a back five, like against Paris Saint-Germain in the Super Cup, the answer is YES.

Frank favours the back five against high-class opposition.

It, obviously, gives an extra defender but more importantly, it allows a defender to ‘jump’ into midfield and press midfielders like Reijnders.

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City, who we'll come onto in more detail later, will look to flood the opposition half with numbers.

But one way Spurs will try to stop him is by making the spaces that Reijnders likes to operate in as tight as possible by crowding them out.

Expect Micky van de Ven to do this role at times, with Spurs packing central areas to stifle space for City.

Although they will need to be on top form, with Reijnders proving himself to be a two-footed player capable of creating danger out of thin air.

What Wolves got wrong in their defensive plan was attempting to dive in on Reijnders too soon, with the midfielder able to skip past his marker before lifting a cross in for Erling Haaland.

Even when he was boxed out, runners around him will be able to provide him with solutions to get around the press.

WHAT’S NEW WITH CITY?

Pep Guardiola has been tinkering all summer, and we got sneak previews in the Club World Cup.

In the 4-0 win at Wolves on Saturday, City were electric and tactically, it was very interesting.

There is a new flexibility as they form a 2-3-5 attacking shape.

From goal-kicks, their wingers can often start narrow, close to striker Haaland, with the full-backs providing the width to keep the game open.

But as they get higher on the pitch, the wingers go from in to out, with full-backs inverting to give the three-man midfield, either side of Nico Gonzalez.

This allows Reijnders and Bernardo Silva to bomb forward and join the front five.

And while a lot of the talk around the country is about third-man runs, City might be about to pioneer a new sixth-man run.

Spurs will sit deep in numbers against the City front five, but the inverted full-back will then bomb on to make a line-breaking run beyond the defensive line.

We saw the likes of Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes and Rayan Ait-Nouri do this a lot in the Club World Cup.

And whatever side the ball is on, there will be an option for that sixth-man run.

It is risky, but if Spurs play with five, it will give City one less player to worry about on the counter, meaning they can be that bit braver by committing an extra body forward.

One other change of note is how wingers will be positioned on a goal kick.

Last season, they were seen hugging the touchline, but in the Club World Cup, we saw the eights drop deeper and the wingers tuck inside closer to Haaland.

The extra man is designed to lure a pressing rival into a trap and leave space behind them for City to then go directly into the likes of Haaland for a rapid attack, ironically, a very un-City-like move.

EBERECHI EZE has snubbed Tottenham after Arsenal spectacularly hijacked his move to their rivals.

And the Crystal Palace ace's decision to opt for the red side of North London is steeped in a history of loving the club.

Of course, the lure of playing for a title challenging side who reached the latter stages of the Champions League last season will have been a temptation.

But Eze's connection with Arsenal runs deep, going back to his days in the Gunners' academy as a youngster.

YOUNG GUN

Eze, 27, started his journey into professional football with Arsenal, rising through the youth ranks for the club and supporting the team as a kid.

The attacking midfielder has recalled taking immense pride in being "the kid that plays for Arsenal".

But despite having a dream of one day lining up on the Emirates pitch with a cannon on his chest, it was all taken away from him when he was just a teenager.

Aged 13, Eze was released by the Gunners, leaving him heartbroken and having to fight back the tears to search for a new opportunity.

He previously told the BBC: "As a kid, that's all I knew. Arsenal was everything.

"To play there, not even to understand what it meant to play first team football, but just to go in and have an Arsenal badge [on my chest].

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"I'm the kid that plays for Arsenal. During that period it was amazing.

"But afterwards it became difficult because, as a kid, your identity is almost wrapped up in that. That's one of the hardest battles I've had.

"Because of what Arsenal meant to me at the time, I've got tears ready to pour down my face."

KEEPING THE FAITH

After being let go by Arsenal, Eze was signed and released by Fulham, Reading and Millwall before finally landing on his feet at QPR in 2016.

While studying at college, Eze enjoyed a successful trial with QPR and impressed the club's technical director, Chris Ramsey.

He officially signed in August 2016 and made his first-team debut five months later in an FA Cup match against Blackburn Rovers.

A lot of players would have given up or felt their journey was over after being dealt the blows that Eze was, but for him it was just a matter of keeping faith.

Faith is a huge part of Eze's life, as a devout Christian who is as grounded as they come in top flight football.

He told the Athletic previously: "I’ve grown up in a Christian household, regularly going to church.

"For me, it’s hugely important, simply because of the peace of mind it gives me. It allows me to regulate myself and put things into perspective.

“Football can get super intense and you can get caught up in it all, but my faith allows me to realign my focus and know there’s something greater and that there’s a deeper purpose as to why I’m in the position I’m in.”

Now Eze even shows his faith on the pitch, recognising Jesus Christ with his crucifix celebration.

His down to earth attitude is also represented by his love for chess, a passion that has seen him face off against billionaire Richard Branson and even earned him £15,000 in an online chess tournament earlier this year.

REAPING THE REWARDS

Keeping that faith in God and, crucially, in himself, meant that Eze was able to keep plucking away at reaching his goals.

Incredibly, he tweeted in 2015: "I swear imma make It and when I do, they're gunna show this tweet lol."

Success with QPR led to a Premier League breakthrough, joining Crystal Palace from the R's in 2020 in a deal worth around £17million.

Eze quickly established himself as a fan-favourite at Selhurst Park and soon became one of the club's most-important players.

He has since made over 165 appearances for the Eagles, scoring 40 times and registering 28 assists.

While he put the cherry on top of his time in South London by scoring the winning goal as Palace beat Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final in May.

Another stellar campaign meant he started attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham.

HOMECOMING

Arsenal came knocking first this summer as Arteta lined up Eze as a potential difference-maker in their hopes to finally go one better than second place.

But after heavy spending on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal's interest appeared to cool.

That gave their fiercest rivals Spurs a free run at Eze, or so they thought.

After weeks of negotiations Tottenham had agreed a fee with Palace and personal terms with Eze, it looked for all the world that the boyhood Arsenal fan would be switching allegiances for the next step in his career.

That was until Kai Havertz's unfortunate injury meant Arsenal were forced back into the market at the eleventh hour, revisiting Eze's camp and immediately turning his head.

Eze's history with Arsenal, coupled with their comparative status in the league at the moment, meant he couldn't help but opt for an Emirates switch.

Within hours news had spread that he had already agreed personal terms and Arteta's transfer team had struck a deal with Palace in excess of £60m.

What took Spurs weeks had taken Arsenal just a day.

Eze's decision only endears him even more to the Arsenal fans, who have already honoured their incoming transfer with a mural on a wall next to the Emirates Stadium - before Eze has even put pen to paper.

In fact, Eze is still expected to play for Palace this evening in their Conference League qualifier against Norwegian side Fredrikstad when the Eagles play their first ever major European game at Selhurst Park - a fitting occasion for a goodbye.

Eze will leave Palace as a club legend, having won them their first ever major trophy last season, but he joins Arsenal as a hero already, thanks to his love for the club and his part in giving the fans another reason to get one over their North London neighbours.

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