Eze transfer talks persist

Crystal Palace weigh whether to field Eberechi Eze in the opener while Tottenham push for a summer deal.

Eze may miss Chelsea match as Spurs press for transfer

Crystal Palace are weighing whether to name Eberechi Eze in the starting lineup for Sundays Premier League opener against Chelsea, with Tottenham Hotspur pressing to sign the 27-year-old attacking midfielder. Palace have been linked with Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss as a potential replacement if Eze sits out, and discussions about a move have intensified as Spurs step up efforts to land him. Eze’s £67.5m release clause expired on Friday, but Palace are believed to want a similar fee with a large upfront payment to consider selling the former QPR forward who scored the FA Cup final winner in May. Spurs have not yet made an official bid but remain confident they can persuade Eze, who has drawn interest from Arsenal this summer. QPR still stand to benefit from a sell-on clause of 15% of any Palace profit on the transfer after they signed Eze for £19.5m in 2020. Palace manager Oliver Glasner said Eze and Marc Guéhi trained throughout the week and would be in contention for the Chelsea game, while acknowledging plans can shift quickly in this market.

The unfolding transfer chatter shows how fast a top flight season can hinge on a single decision. Palace must balance loyalty to a homegrown star with the need to refresh a squad after Wembley success. The price dynamics — an expired release clause, a demand for upfront payment, and the risk of a delayed bid — expose the fragility of a club’s planning window. Spurs are betting on timing and on Eze’s own wishes, while Arsenal complicates the picture with late interest. If the deal stalls, Palace still holds positional leverage but could face a tougher start to the campaign. The sell-on clause reminder from QPR adds a financial ripple to every move.

Highlights

The window remains open and the stakes are high for both clubs.