Eberechi Eze left out of Crystal Palace team amid reports of imminent Arsenal move

By Canadian Press on August 21, 2025.

LONDON (AP) — Eberechi Eze was left out of Crystal Palace’s team for its Conference League playoff match on Thursday amid reports the England forward is about to join Arsenal.

Palace named a close-to-full-strength team against Fredrikstad and Eze was the standout omission, not even included among the substitutes.

Widespread reports in the British media said Eze has agreed to a transfer to Arsenal, which has moved late in the summer window for a player who was reportedly close to joining north London rival Tottenham.

The 27-year-old Eze will cost an initial 60 million pounds ($80 million), according to the reports, including from the BBC. It would take Arsenal’s spending in this summer transfer window to around 250 million pounds ($335 million).

Neither Palace nor Arsenal have commented publicly on any potential deal.

Eze was a youth-team player with Arsenal before being released as a teenager. He started his professional career at second-tier Queens Park Rangers before moving to Palace in 2020, where he has become one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the league and a regular in the England squad. He played at last year’s European Championship.

Last season, Eze scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final as Palace beat Manchester City 1-0 to qualify for European competition for the first time.

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