Eberechi Eze 'to miss Crystal Palace match' after £68m transfer clause expires

Eberechi Eze is set to miss Crystal Palace's opening game of the season as he closes in on a move to Tottenham. Eze has been heavily linked with a move away from Palace this summer and it appears as though Spurs have won the race for his services.

Arsenal were also interested in the England international, whose £68million release clause expired on Friday. Eze has starred for Palace since joining the club from QPR in 2020, producing 57 goal contributions in 146 appearances.

According to the Sun, Eze is expected to not feature for Palace when they take on Chelsea on Sunday as a move to Tottenham is 'close'. The report states that a deal has not year been agreed, but Spurs are 'pushing'.

Spurs did attempt to sign Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this summer, but the deal fell through after they were accused of making an illegal approach and the player ended up signing a new contract with Nottingham Forest.

They are especially in need of a new No.10 after James Maddison suffered a serious ACL injury in pre-season that means he could miss the entire season.

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The news comes after Palace boss Oliver Glasner said on Friday that he expected both Eze and Marc Guehi, who has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, to start against Chelsea.

"Marc trained the entire week with us, every single training session," Glasner said in his pre-match press conference. "The same with Ebs. They have prepared the best way for the Chelsea game on Sunday.

"I've been in football long enough that I know every day, almost every time of the day, that things can happen. But if you ask me now, yes I expect both starting for us on Sunday. (They have) the right mindset.

"No-one is forced to sign a contract, as soon as you sign a contract stick to it, because you did it voluntarily. Stick to it because this is what you expect from the other party that they stick to their contract.

"Everyone would be upset if the club says, 'We're not pleased with your performance, we'll cut your salary by 50 per cent'. Nobody would say, 'OK, thank you I agree'. It is the opposite (with Guehi and Eze). You have rights and duties in a contract so stick to it. This just shows the character and mindset.”

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