Tottenham are said to be on the hunt for a replacement, and that’s quietly boosted Arsenal’s hopes of landing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
Eze finished the 2024–25 season as one of the league’s standout performers, racking up 25 goal contributions across all competitions and hitting top form when it mattered most.
The Premier League rivals of Crystal Palace are showing interest in the England international this summer, indicating that his form has not gone ignored.
As they are looking for a new winger and require suitable competition for Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal is one of the teams interested in Eze.
Arsenal's interest has reportedly "turned his head" as he approaches a summer departure, despite Tottenham Hotspur previously seemed to be in the lead for Eze.
Eze might join Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga at Arsenal, who are still looking for a striker despite interest in Hugo Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, and Ollie Watkins.
Spurs had originally planned to make Eze, who has a £68 million release clause, their summertime "statement" acquisition, but they will lose to Arsenal, their rivals in north London.
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According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have recently been in "contact" about signing Eze. "Over the weekend, Arsenal reached out to Eberechi Eze's camp," Romano disclosed.
"The Crystal Palace star is in contact with the #AFC regarding the terms of the deal." Tottenham is still interested in Eze.
Romano has also confirmed recent reports that Spurs are interested in West Ham forward Mohammaed Kudus, who is said to be valued at £68 million.
According to the transfer expert, Tottenham has a "genuine interest" in Kudus, and his position on joining the Big Six club benefits both them and Arsenal, who may be much more likely to acquire Eze as a result.
As reported by Matt_Law_DT, Romano stated: "Tottenham has genuine interest in Mohammed Kudus and he's high on the list for this summer."
His new agents were contacted initially, but other teams are also involved. Open to Spurs talks, Kudus But Eze has been instructed by former Premier League manager Alan Pardew to turn down Arsenal and sign for Spurs instead.
"My Arsenal friends, all June (said) they have a great chance of winning the league if they get the right number nine, and I do agree with that," he remarked. Would they get closer to the title with Eze? Perhaps, but I believe they have enough quality with all of the people there.
I have thus responded to your query. "If he leaves the great Crystal Palace, I think he should go to Spurs," Pardew added.
On the surface, Spurs may have looked set to land Eze, but lately the tide has swung in Arsenal’s favor. Betting markets now list Arsenal as the outright favorites, as Tottenham appear to have slowed their pursuit maybe shifted focus toward Kudus leaving more breathing room for the Gunners .
That shift has done more than boost Arsenal’s odds; it’s seemingly rattled Palace into facing the reality that Eze’s next club could be The Emirates, not The Lane.
Despite Tottenham’s interest in Kudus, West Ham are reportedly open to a £60 million deal to meet PSR rules . But that pursuit might indirectly benefit Arsenal: if Spurs redirect funds toward Kudus, Arsenal could strike for Eze unopposed.
Internally, Eze’s camp have been holding exploratory conversations with U.S. tour and pre-season planning in mind. While Arsenal haven’t officially matched his £68 million release clause yet (which reportedly can be spread over instalments) , they’re understood to be preparing a proposal and are in sustained contact with his representatives .
From a footballing standpoint, the argument in Arsenal’s court is strong. Charles Watts, writing in CaughtOffside, recently said Eze is “tailor-made” for Mikel Arteta’s setup, offering versatility to play wide or at No. 10 and the creativity and unpredictability Arsenal seem to lack . Not only does his £68 million clause look more attainable in chunks, but he has the level, experience, and hunger to hit the ground running, unlike a riskier big-money foreign transfer.
Off the pitch, Tottenham's cooling interest in Eze has proved pivotal: Sports Mole reported this week that Spurs “backed off” and are now pursuing other wide options, which opens a clear path for Arsenal .
Arsenal have also discreetly expressed interest in alternative attacking targets such as Rodrygo, Nico Williams, and Noni Madueke but the standout remains Eze, both in profile and availability .
As a result, the north London derby in the transfer market is heating up but this time, it's shifting in favour of Red over Royal Blue. For Palace, the message is clear: unless Spurs come back strong, Eze could be on his way to The Emirates by early July.
For Arsenal, completing this deal alongside their defensive and midfield buildup (Norgaard, Zubimendi, Kepa, Mosquera) would be a statement of ambition and a powerful statement of intent for the campaign ahead.
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