Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze after reaching an agreement in principle for a £60m transfer.
BBC Sport reports that the England international has made Arsenal his preferred destination, despite Tottenham Hotspur holding advanced talks for his signature over the past 10 days.
Spurs were understood to have reached a deal with Palace, but the move stalled before completion.
Eze, 27, came through Arsenal’s youth ranks and is now keen to return to north London before the transfer window shuts on 1 September.
His arrival would hand Mikel Arteta an extra attacking option, especially with recent concerns over Kai Havertz’s knee injury.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed on Wednesday that Eze, alongside defender Marc Guehi, will feature in Thursday’s Europa Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad, stressing that both remain “fully committed” to the club for now.
Eze’s contract previously contained a release clause valued at £60m plus £8m in add-ons, though that clause has since expired.
The forward has been a key figure for Palace in recent seasons, famously scoring the decisive goal in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City and later helping the Eagles lift the Community Shield against Liverpool via penalties.
He also had a goal ruled out during Palace’s opening-day draw with Chelsea.
