Journalist: Tottenham now told finalise Eberechi Eze deal once one key detail is sorted out
Tottenham Hotspur stand on the verge of securing their primary creative target Eberechi Eze, with negotiations reaching their decisive phase after Crystal Palace established their final condition for the transfer.
The North London club, desperate to compensate for James Maddison’s long-term ACL injury, have made significant progress in their pursuit of the England international, though one critical detail must still be resolved before the deal crosses the finish line.
Eze’s emotional farewell to Palace supporters following their season opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge signaled an impending departure, with the 27-year-old appearing to acknowledge the conclusion of his four-year tenure in South London.
Tottenham reignited their longstanding interest in the versatile attacker last week following Maddison’s devastating injury diagnosis, accelerating talks to bring the creative maestro to N17.
Key Transfer Details
| Aspect | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Player Agreement | Personal terms finalized |
| Club Negotiations | Fee structure nearly agreed |
| Palace Condition | Replacement must be secured |
| Primary Replacement Target | Bilal El Khannouss (Leicester) |
| Secondary Option | Christos Tzolis (Club Brugge) |
| Expected Timeline | 48-72 hours pending replacements |
According to transfer expert Ben Jacobs, Palace chairman Steve Parish has agreed in principle to sanction Eze’s move once the club secures adequate attacking reinforcements.
The Eagles have identified Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss as their preferred replacement, though the Foxes’ £30 million valuation presents an obstacle following the expiration of the Moroccan’s relegation release clause.
Club Brugge’s Greek international Christos Tzolis serves as an alternative option should negotiations for El Khannouss stall.
The transfer’s progression highlights the unusual alignment between two of the Premier League’s toughest negotiators, with Parish and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy reportedly operating in rare harmony to facilitate the deal.
While the £68 million release clause has expired, the clubs have established a mutually acceptable fee structure that satisfies both parties, marking a significant breakthrough in negotiations.
Eze’s potential arrival would address Tottenham’s most pressing creative void following Maddison’s injury.
The Palace star’s versatility allows him to operate across multiple attacking positions, offering Thomas Frank tactical flexibility in reshaping his frontline.
Last season’s statistics demonstrate why Spurs consider him an ideal Maddison stand-in:
Eze vs Maddison Comparative Analysis (2023/24 Premier League)
| Metric | Eberechi Eze | James Maddison |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 14 | 8 |
| Assists | 12 | 7 |
| Key Passes/90 | 2.1 | 2.4 |
| Successful Dribbles/90 | 2.3 | 1.7 |
| Shot-Creating Actions/90 | 4.7 | 5.2 |
The numbers reveal Eze as a more prolific goalscorer while maintaining comparable creative output to Maddison, with superior dribbling ability that could add a new dimension to Tottenham’s attack.
His capacity to carry the ball through midfield lines and create chances from deeper positions would alleviate the creative burden on Tottenham’s other attackers during Maddison’s extended absence.
Palace’s willingness to cooperate stems partly from Eze’s professional handling of the situation. Despite the swirling transfer speculation, the attacker maintained his commitment on the pitch, delivering a strong performance against Chelsea before his poignant moment with supporters.
This professionalism has fostered goodwill between all parties, smoothing negotiations that might otherwise have become contentious.
For Tottenham, completing the Eze signing would represent a significant coup in a summer that has already seen them secure Mohammed Kudus and Dominic Solanke.
The potential attacking trio of Eze, Richarlison, and Kudus offers Frank multiple tactical configurations, with Eze’s ability to drift inside from the left or operate as a central playmaker providing crucial versatility.
As the final pieces of the transfer puzzle fall into place, Tottenham fans can reasonably expect official confirmation within the coming days, provided Palace successfully secure their preferred replacement.
The deal’s structure – likely involving staggered payments and performance-related add-ons – reflects Levy’s characteristic negotiating acumen while respecting Palace’s need to reinvest the funds immediately.
This prospective transfer underscores Tottenham’s strategic shift under Frank, targeting Premier League-proven talent capable of making an immediate impact.
At 27, Eze enters his prime years with the perfect blend of top-flight experience and untapped potential that could flourish under Frank’s progressive system.
His arrival would not only soften the blow of Maddison’s injury but potentially elevate Tottenham’s attacking play to new heights.
The coming days will determine whether Palace can swiftly conclude their incoming business, but all signs point toward Eze finally making the move to Tottenham after six years of intermittent interest dating back to his QPR days.
For a club in need of creative inspiration, the wait for Maddison’s return just became considerably more palatable.