Tottenham has sent a decisive message to Crystal Palace regarding Eberechi Eze, with the club reportedly preparing to make a significant bid for the talented midfielder. Here’s what’s happening:

Tottenham’s Interest in Eze

– Long-standing Interest: Tottenham has had a long-standing interest in Eze, having first expressed their desire to sign him in 2019 when he was playing for Queens Park Rangers.

– Current Pursuit: The club is now intensifying their pursuit, with manager Thomas Frank viewing Eze as a key target to add creativity and quality to the squad.

– Potential Record Signing: Signing Eze would make him Tottenham’s record signing, with the club reportedly willing to trigger his £68 million release clause ¹.

Negotiations and Potential Deal

– Instalment Payment: Crystal Palace might be open to accepting Eze’s release clause being paid in instalments, with an initial payment of around £25-30 million followed by two additional instalments.

– Performance-related Bonuses: The deal could also include £8 million in performance-related bonuses.

– Potential Swap Deal: Tottenham has also been exploring the possibility of including a player in the deal, potentially as part of a player-plus-cash bid ² ³.

Crystal Palace’s Position

– Valuation: Crystal Palace values Eze at £68 million, but Tottenham is reportedly planning to offer below that figure in initial negotiations.

– Contract Extension Talks: The club has begun discussions with Eze over a new contract, aiming to deter interest from Tottenham and other top clubs.

– Financial Boost: A deal worth over £60 million would represent a significant financial boost for Palace, allowing them to strengthen multiple areas of their squad ⁴ ².

Implications of the Transfer

– Creative Spark: Eze’s signing would provide a creative spark for Tottenham, addressing the void left by James Maddison’s injury and Son Heung-min’s departure.

– Competition with Arsenal: The transfer would also be a significant statement from Tottenham, especially given Arsenal’s interest in Eze throughout the summer.

– Potential Impact on Squad Dynamics: The signing of Eze could impact the squad dynamics, potentially leading to changes in the team’s formation and playing style ⁵.