EBERECHI EZE is expecting not to feature for Crystal Palace against Chelsea on Sunday as Tottenham push for his signing.
Spurs are in talks over clinching a move for the England star, and though a deal is yet to be agreed, there is optimism it can be struck soon.
As a result, sources close to Eze believe he will not play in Palace’s Premier League season-opener at Stamford Bridge.
The North Londoners are in desperate need for a new No10 with James Maddison set to miss most of the season with a serious knee injury.
Thomas Frank wanted a new playmaker even before Maddison damaged his anterior cruciate ligament against Newcastle in preseason.
Spurs came close to landing Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest before a stunning U-turn saw him sign a new contract at the City Ground.
Eze, 27, has been a long-term target for Spurs and the player is keen to join so he can realise his dream of playing Champions League football.
He scored twice against Tottenham in May the week before he struck the FA Cup final winner against Manchester City.
Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal have also been interested in Eze, but their interest is understood to have cooled after Ethan Nwaneri signed a new contract.
The Gunners see Eze, who can play wide left, as primarily a No. 10, where they already have Martin Odegaard and Nwaneri.
A late move to the Emirates has not been completely ruled out at this stage, but is viewed as unlikely.
Eze was one of Palace’s star performers last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 43 appearances for Oliver Glasner’s side.
Eagles boss Glasner was hopeful that both Eze and skipper Marc Guehi would be in his starting XI at the Bridge.
The Austrian said: “Marc has trained the entire week with us, every single training session, the same with Ebs.
“They’ve prepared the best way for the Chelsea game on Sunday afternoon.
“I’ve been in the football business for too long, so I know that at any time of any day, things can happen.
“If you ask me now, I expect both Marc and Ebs to start on Sunday.”
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