Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur's transfer talks for Eberechi Eze have intensified and can be finalized in a couple of days. According to Daily Mail Sport, the deal is set to happen within two or three days for around £50 million with add-ons. The Eagles are not ready to let their midfielder go until they have acquired their back-up player. That news could delay the decision, especially with the window running down in a matter of days and time being a deciding factor.
Tottenham under pressure of injuries
Spurs have had interest in Eze in the past but stepped up their chase following the severe injury incurred by James Maddison, who had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. Even worse, Dejan Kulusevski is also missing with a knee problem. In short, two of those players who gave balance to the attack and midfield are missing in unison.
In this regard, Tottenham is not just looking to strengthen the squad, but avoid having to watch the season fall apart on the first day. Missing out on instant cover has cost them points in the past, and the board is not keen on making the same mistake. It is for this reason that the pursuit of Eze has shifted from what can be done to what must be done.
Crystal Palace digging in
Crystal Palace is conscious that it has bargaining power at the bargaining table. Even when Eze's £68 million release clause expires, the club's stance does not change: the midfielder will not leave unless a substitute is brought in. It is a strategy that signifies maturity in a league where mid-table clubs are rushed or bullied by bigger clubs.
On top of all this, Palace has not lost sight of the fact that 15% of whatever profit is gained from selling him on will be going to QPR, Eze's old club. In short, the maths needs to add up. They paid nearly £19 million for him in 2020 and are now looking at losing nearly twice that amount. Losing a star player is bad enough, but losing him without a plan would be intolerable.
An agreement that involves add-ons and replacements is always a waiting game. But if Spurs do not act now, they will be risking losing a player who looks the perfect fit for the gap they have left with their injuries. And in doing so, the cost of waiting could end up being a lot higher than the £50 million on offer currently.