Tottenham still face Eberechi Eze wait even though transfer agreement is now 'close'
Tottenham and Crystal Palace have still not yet reached an agreement over a transfer fee for Eberechi Eze, who is now likely to feature in the Eagles' opening Europa Conference League fixture on Thursday.
Spurs and Palace have been in talks over a deal for Eze, 27, this week with the former stepping up their efforts to land the attacking midfielder after discovering that the injured James Maddison is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. However, the two clubs have so far been unable to agree on a payment structure for a proposed £60million deal.
Talks are expected to continue over the coming days with Eze keen on the idea of moving across London. But with no agreement in place, the former QPR man is now poised to start in Palace's Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Fredrikstad on Thursday.
Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace's head coach, confirmed as much on Wednesday when he revealed that Eze and Marc Guehi - a target for Liverpool - remain committed to the cause despite interest from elsewhere.
"Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours," Glasner said in a press conference. "But they are committed here and they will play a crucial part."
While Eze is likely to be on the pitch for the start of Crystal Palace's maiden European campaign, it seems likely that the club and Tottenham will reach an agreement for his transfer before September 1. Encouragingly for Tottenham, though, Palace have made progress in their pursuit of a player who could help fill the sizeable void Eze would leave.
Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester is one of the targets Palace have identified amid interest in Eze and Sky Sports claim that the FA Cup winners are now 'close' to agreeing a deal worth £32million for the attacking midfielder.
El Khannouss, 21, is among a number of options Palace are weighing up during the final two weeks of the transfer window. They also hold an interest in Christos Tzolis of Club Brugge, though it now seems that a deal for El Khannouss is more advanced.
The Morocco star contributed two goals and three assists in 32 Premier League appearances for Leicester last season as they were relegated from the top-flight.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
11 minutes ago
- Metro
Chelsea line up future move for Brighton star as transfer deal is agreed
Brighton midfielder Julio Enciso is being lined up for a future at Stamford Bridge after agreeing a deal with BlueCo – the group that owns Chelsea and Strasbourg. The 21-year-old had been tipped for big things after announcing himself to Premier League fans with a Puskas Award-nominated strike against Manchester City to help Brighton secure a place in the 2023/24 Europa League. But Enciso struggled to nail down a starting spot on the south coast and spent the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich, where he racked up two goals and three assists in 13 appearances. Following Ipswich's relegation into the Championship, Enciso made it clear he was keen to explore possible opportunities away from the Amex Stadium, with regular first-team minutes seen as an absolute priority. According to The Athletic, BlueCo have now agreed personal terms with Enciso's camp and the Paraguay international is expected to join up with Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg imminently. However, the report claims Enciso is 'viewed as a long-term Chelsea player' by Todd Boehly's BlueCo consortium, who completed a takeover of the west London giants in 2022. After assuming control of Strasbourg 12 months later, Boehly spoke about the multi-club model providing a route for young talent to force their way into the reckoning at Chelsea. Sky Sports is going full throttle this Premier League season, airing a record-breaking 215 live matches - that's nearly double the usual dose of drama, goals, and post-match meltdowns. From Friday night clashes to Super Sundays and even all ten final-day fixtures, Sky's new deal means fans won't miss a single nutmeg or last-minute screamer. Whether you're team Sky Q, Sky Glass, or prefer streaming via NOW, you're covered. And with pundits like Jamie Carragher probably already rehearsing their 'I told you so' lines, expect top-tier commentary alongside top-tier football. As Pep might say, 'More games, more problems - for the other teams.' Check out the latest deals from Sky here, starting from £15 a month. Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more . 'We can show pathways for our young superstars to get onto the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game-time,' the American billionaire said. Enciso will no doubt be desperate to make an impression in French football with Strasbourg, managed by Liam Rosenior, but the youngster first has to work his way back from knee surgery – which has kept him sidelined since May. The injury meant Enciso did not feature in Brighton's pre-season plans or in the side's 1-1 draw with Fulham last weekend. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Brighton's hierarchy had been in agreement that Enciso would be surplus to requirements for the new season, with Fabian Hurzeler well stocked in midfield. Enciso had just 12 months remaining on his contract with the Seagulls. Speaking to ABC Paraguay in May, Enciso revealed that he was keen to enjoy the summer with his loved ones before determining his future. 'I'll think about what I'm going to do later,' Enciso said at the time. 'I don't know yet what I will do. 'I want to enjoy time with my family and then I'll think about what I'm going to do.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Newcastle star 'likes' post slamming Alexander Isak as Liverpool plot second transfer bid MORE: Eberechi Eze makes decision over Arsenal transfer as Gunners hijack Tottenham move MORE: Alan Shearer tells Alexander Isak to take drastic action amid Liverpool transfer 'mess'
Metro
11 minutes ago
- Metro
'Obvious choice' - Chelsea urged to hijack Liverpool move for £35m target
Tim Sherwood believes Chelsea would be silly not to rival Liverpool for the signing of Marc Guehi after the long-term injury suffered by Levi Colwill. Colwill was expected to be a key player again for Enzo Maresca's side but will now miss the majority of the season with an ACL injury. While Chelsea had already brought in Jarrel Hato from Ajax prior to Colwill's injury, Maresca has openly admitted that he would now like to see the club dip back into the market for more defensive cover. 'We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think and we'll see what happens,' the Chelsea boss said last week. 'I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. 'We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad. we are, no doubt. But we said many times that when the transfer window is open, anything can happen.' Despite Maresca's wishes, reports suggest that Chelsea will not sanction the purchasing of another centre-back, with Josh Acheampong one of several players viewed as a capable deputy for the time being. But former Tottenham manager Sherwood believes Chelsea should reconsider their stance and pursue a deal for Guehi, who has just one year left on his deal at Crystal Palace The Palace captain has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, with both clubs holding talks over a potential £35million deal. But with Palace holding out for a fee of £40-45m, Sherwood believes Chelsea could take advantage and present a more attractive proposition for Guehi. 'Marc Guehi is the obvious choice for Chelsea to replace Levi Colwill at centre-back,' Sherwood told BetBrain. 'He's a player that will hit the ground running at Chelsea, having already played in the Premier League for a few years and to a very high standard. 'They can risk waiting until next season when his contract at Crystal Palace expires, but there'll be a queue to sign him, without doubt. 'It looks like both Liverpool and Chelsea have turned Guehi's head away from Palace. Ibrahima Konate is out of contract next season for Liverpool and while Guehi might not start ahead of him or Virgil van Dijk, he'd be a solid replacement if either left the club. 'Even if Konate stayed, the best teams in the league have high quality cover in every position and Guehi would fit that bill. 'My feeling is Steve Parish will want to try and keep hold of Guehi for as long as possible, but Palace know they can't allow him to leave for free – it'd be a huge loss.' Despite speculation on his future, Guehi – as well as the Arsenal-bound Eberechi Eze – are expected to start for Palace in Thursday's Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad. More Trending 'Many of you were surprised Marc and Ebs started and played almost the whole game [at Chelsea],' Glasner said in his pre-match press conference. 'Most of you will be surprised that they will start again [on Thursday] because of all the rumours. 'But they are committed to the team, they have a contract here. They played a crucial part that we could be successful and they will play a crucial part as long as they are here. 'They are good, they are committed to the team. When one of the players will leave they want to leave as the guys who always gave 100 per cent for Crystal Palace. 'This is what they did since they signed many years ago and this is what we expect from them until the end of their contract, whenever this is.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea line up future move for Brighton star as transfer deal is agreed MORE: Newcastle star 'likes' post slamming Alexander Isak as Liverpool plot second transfer bid MORE: Alan Shearer tells Alexander Isak to take drastic action amid Liverpool transfer 'mess'
The Herald Scotland
37 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Rodgers in telling response to 'sack the board' Celtic chant
Loud boos could be heard with chants of 'sack the board' echoing inside the stadium both during the match and after the final whistle. However, Rodgers suggested it's managers who pay the price rather than the board at any football club as he responded to the fan anger. Asked if he could understand the frustration from supporters, he told TNT Sports: "Yeah, absolutely. But I also understand when it's 'sack the board,' I don't know any board who gets sacked. Read more: "It's normally the manager at any club, it's the manager who gets the sack, not the board. "But listen we have to go away and analyse tonight and see where we could be better and like i said, the guys who are out there, they're giving their all and giving everything. "But like we've said many times, in order to progress at this level and into European football, we need to have more. It's as simple as that. "We won't have that for Tuesday, we get concentration now for Saturday, it's a big game against Livingston." On whether his squad has enough quality to compete in the Champions League, should they advance to the league phase, Rodgers said: "I've said it clear. I can't keep going on about it every press conference I have, it's so, so clear what this team needs. "Nights like that do (highlight it). "It's always going to, each level you go through - this is a good team that understands the game, they're talented players and they're used to winning. "We know what we have to improve."
