Tottenham Hotspur are pushing hard to secure the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, with talks between the clubs expected to accelerate in the coming days.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham and Palace have been in direct talks, with the North Londoners hoping to close a deal.
The 27-year-old England international has been on Spurs’ radar for some time, and sources close to the negotiations suggest a deal could be edging closer.
Eze previously had a release clause set at £68 million in his contract, but it expired last week. That gives Palace more flexibility to negotiate a fair deal.
However, Romano has revealed that Tottenham are ready to secure a deal worth a total of £60m. If Palace agree to those terms, Spurs will pay an initial £55m plus an additional £5m in add-ons.
Palace update confirms imminent Eze deal
Palace are reluctant to sanction Eze’s exit until they have a replacement lined up, and reports suggest that the Eagles already have an alternative in mind.
They are lining up a move for Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss, fueling Tottenham’s hopes of reaching an agreement for Eze sooner rather than later.
Eze has been in spectacular form for Palace over the past couple of years. Last season, he bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 games across all competitions.
He recorded 16 goal contributions in 34 Premier League games and scored the only goal to help Palace beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Eze has thrived in a roaming attacking role under Oliver Glasner. With James Maddison set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Eze would slot into the vacant number 10 role at Tottenham.
With Dejan Kulusevski also trying to shake off an injury, Thomas Frank’s squad is crying out for a creative midfielder, and Eze checks all the right boxes.
The England international will bring the attacking spark Tottenham need in the final third, and he’d be a marquee addition for the North Londoners.