LONDON (AP) – Eberechi Eze has been removed from Crystal Palace’s team for Thursday’s Conference League playoff match amid reports that the English forward is about to join Arsenal.
The Palace was an outstanding omission, which was named to a team of rounded strength against Fredrikstad and Eze, and was not included in the replacement.
“To be honest, I was hoping he would start for us today, but he called me this morning and said he didn’t feel good playing in the evening,” Palace Manager Oliver Glasner said before the game. “And of course, I have to accept it, and everything else, you have to ask the chairman.”
Extensive reports in the British media said Eze has agreed to a move to Arsenal. Arsenal moved into the second half of the summer window for a player reportedly approaching North London rival Tottenham.
According to a report from the BBC, the 27-year-old Eze will cost the first £60 million ($80 million). Arsenal’s spending will be spent on approximately £250 million ($335 million) during the transfer period this summer.
Neither the Palace nor Arsenal publicly commented on potential deals.
Eze was a player on Arsenal’s youth team before being released as a teenager. He began his professional career with the second-class Queens Park Rangers before moving to the palace in 2020. There he became one of the league’s most exciting offensive midfielders and became a regular on the English team. He played at last year’s European Championships.
Last season, Eze scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final as Palace defeated Manchester City 1-0 to make its first appearance in the European competition.
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