Eberechi Eze still favours a transfer to Arsenal after Tottenham opened talks to sign the Crystal Palace midfielder, according to reports.
Eze has been on Arsenal’s shortlist summer but Mikel Arteta’s side have prioritised deals for Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke.
The 27-year-old has been available this summer due to a £68 million release clause in his deal with Palace, which expires on Friday.
Tottenham have now opened talks to sign the Eze, while the Europa League holders have also made an approach to Manchester City for their 21-year-old Brazilian winger Savinho.
But according to The Guardian, Tottenham do not intend to meet Eze’s £68m release clause.
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The report adds that Spurs also have a ‘further complication’ because Eze’s preference would be to join Arsenal.
However, the Gunners must sell before going forward with a move for Eze and are open to offers for Leandro Trossard and Fabio Vieira, who spent last season on loan at Porto.
Speaking after Palace’s victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield on Sunday, the club’s chairman, Steve Parish, was asked if the intention is to keep both Eze and Marc Guehi, who is wanted by Liverpool.
‘Yeah of course, but listen, players come and go in football clubs. I mean it’s a life cycle isn’t it?’ Parish replied.
‘Hopefully they’ll still be here, that’s what I’d like. But we’ll see.’
Elsewhere, Liverpool have stepped up talks to sign Guehi and are aiming to sign the England international before the end of the transfer window.
The Premier League champions are aiming to a deal with Palace worth £30m plus add-ons for Guehi, who will be out of contract next summer.
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