Crystal Palace have issued a statement clarifying the absence of star midfielder Eberechi Eze from their pre-season friendly against Millwall, amid swirling transfer rumors linking the 27-year-old to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. The club confirmed that Eze, who has a £68 million release clause set to expire on August 15, 2025, was not included in the squad or the recent kit launch due to his extended break following international duty with England at Euro 2024. Palace’s statement, as reported by LondonWorld, emphasized, “Players involved in summer internationals are yet to return to training, so won’t feature,” dispelling speculation that his absence signaled an imminent move. The England international’s future remains a hot topic as both North London clubs vie for his signature before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Eze’s stellar 2024-25 season, where he scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions, including the winning goal in Palace’s FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City, has made him a prime target. Arsenal, seen as Eze’s preferred destination per Metro, have held talks with his representatives but are reluctant to meet the full £68 million clause, exploring a deal around £60 million with potential add-ons or player swaps, such as Reiss Nelson, according to The Express. Tottenham, spurred by James Maddison’s season-ending ACL injury, have also initiated discussions but face complications due to their own transfer priorities, including a move for Manchester City’s Savinho, as noted by The Guardian. Palace chairman Steve Parish, speaking after the Community Shield win over Liverpool, remained non-committal, stating, “Players come and go… Hopefully they’re still here, but we’ll see,” fueling further speculation.
The transfer saga is complicated by Palace’s preparations for a potential Europa Conference League play-off double-header on August 21 and 28, following their failed appeal against UEFA’s demotion from the Europa League. Manager Oliver Glasner, who has expressed frustration over the club’s lack of signings, refused to guarantee Eze’s stay but confirmed his participation in the Community Shield, where he played the full 90 minutes. Eze’s viral reaction to an Arsenal fan’s question post-match—a wry smile captured by Evening Standard—has sparked excitement among Gunners supporters, though Arsenal’s need to sell players like Leandro Trossard or Fabio Vieira to fund the move could delay progress. Tottenham’s interest, as reported by The Independent, hinges on their ability to raise funds through sales, with Eze’s release clause requiring a significant upfront payment of £35 million.
As the transfer window nears its close, Palace are bracing for a pivotal period, with contingency plans in place for Eze’s potential departure, including interest in Nice’s Evann Guessand as a versatile replacement. Eze’s 167 appearances, 40 goals, and 28 assists for Palace underscore his value, but his openness to a move, particularly to Arsenal, as reported by Team Talk, suggests a resolution is imminent. Posts on X, including from @PurplePanel, indicate Palace are already planning for a replacement, with financial structuring underway to facilitate a deal. With both Arsenal and Tottenham under pressure to act swiftly, Eze’s future will shape Palace’s season and could redefine the attacking dynamics of either North London club.[](https://metro.co.uk/2025/08/12/eberechi-eze-makes-decision-over-arsenal-transfer-after-tottenham-begin-talks-23893329/)[](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-eze-transfer-latest-b1242338.html)[](https://www.footballinsider247.com/eberechi-eze-responds-to-crystal-palace-announcement-amid-arsenal-transfer-links/)
