Tottenham open talks with Crystal Palace over Eberechi Eze

By George Sessions, PA

Tottenham have turned their attention back to Eberechi Eze and entered talks with Crystal Palace over a potential transfer for the England international, the PA news agency understands.

Spurs have held a long-standing interest in Eze, dating back to his time at QPR, but he subsequently signed for Palace in 2020.

Eze has since developed into one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League and new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has set his sights on landing the 27-year-old before the summer transfer window closes.

James Maddison is carried off the pitch by medical staff after being injured during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle in Seoul on August 3
James Maddison is carried off the pitch by medical staff after being injured during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle in Seoul on August 3rd (Ahn Young-joon/AP) Photo by Ahn Young-joon

Frank is in need of creativity after chief playmaker James Maddison recently ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and with fellow midfielder Dejan Kulusevski still sidelined for the foreseeable future after his own knee surgery.

After a failed pursuit of Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White last month, Spurs have this week ramped up their transfer activity, opening talks with Manchester City on Monday over the signing of versatile attacker Savinho and now in discussions with Palace over Eze.

England midfielder Eze has two years left on his contract at Selhurst Park and has helped the club to FA Cup and Community Shield success during recent months, the latter triumph achieved via a penalty shootout win over Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank before the pre-season friendly match at Kenilworth Road last month
Thomas Frank is set to face the media in Udine later on Tuesday (Nigel French/PA) Photo by Nigel French

PA understands a release clause in the region of £68million remains active in Eze’s current terms, but is set to expire on Friday.

It remains to be seen whether Tottenham will activate the clause or attempt to negotiate a more favourable deal, but the Europa League champions are determined to sign Eze, who scored 14 times and produced 11 assists in 43 appearances during the 2024-25 season.

Spurs head coach Frank will be quizzed on transfers when he faces the media on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday evening’s Super Cup clash with Paris St Germain in Udine.