By Sami Mokbel, Senior football correspondent.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Eberechi Eze is expected to join Arsenal for £60m after the Gunners reached an agreement in principle to sign the forward from Crystal Palace.
Sources have told BBC Sport that Eze favours a move to Arsenal, with whom he started his youth career, despite north London rivals Tottenham having been in talks to sign him.
A deal for Spurs to sign Eze had been agreed between the clubs after talks lasting 10 days, sources said, but it was not finalised.
The Gunners have concerns over a knee injury sustained by attacker Kai Havertz and Eze, 27, would offer Mikel Arteta a fresh option in advanced areas.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner said on Wednesday that Eze would start in Thursday’s Uefa Conference League play-off tie against Fredrikstad, along with Liverpool-linked Marc Guehi, as they remain “committed to the team”.
According to sources Eze wants to join Arsenal before the transfer window closes on 1 September.
Eze had a goal ruled out when Palace began their Premier League campaign with a draw at Chelsea on Sunday.
The England international has an expired release clause in his contract which was worth an initial £60m, plus a further £8m in add-ons.
Palace benefited hugely from Eze’s 14 goals across all competitions last season, which included a strike in their 1-0 FA Cup final win against Manchester City.
Eze joined the Eagles from Queens Park Rangers for £19.5m in 2020 and his current deal runs until the summer of 2027.