Tottenham Hotspur to 'open talks' with £60m Chelsea & Manchester United target

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to ‘open talks’ to sign the Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, despite the growing links between the winger and Spurs’ west London rivals Chelsea.

According to Football Transfers, Ange Postecoglou’s side are hoping to initiate conversations with the Selhurst Park club over making a deal for Eze who is heavily favoured to make the final 26-player England squad for the upcoming European Championships this summer.

Ahead of England’s first match against Serbia on Sunday 16 June, Spurs are hoping to secure a quick move for the £60 million-rated star. Eze’s family is said to have close ties with the N17 club and Spurs even invited his family to the most recent north London derby, which they ultimately lost 3-2. The reports also indicate that the club have already held talks with Eze’s representatives to a certain degree.

The 25-year-old is said to have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with the Eagles which would let him seal a big move in the upcoming window but with Chelsea and Manchester United also hoping to secure Eze’s signature, Tottenham’s transfer battle is set to intensify.

The report also states that Spurs may be given preferential treatment and would pay only £60m million, whereas other clubs would have to cough out more to sign the playmaker. While at the moment Spurs appear to have the upper hand, not only are they likely to face competition from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United but Manchester City have also viewed the England winger as a potential alternative to Lucas Paqueta who could be facing a ten-year football ban if found guilty of match-fixing.

25-year-old Eze joined Crystal Palace in 2020 in deal worth £17m, having made over 100 league appearances for fellow London side Queens Park Rangers. He has scored 11 goals in 27 Premier League appearances this season, contributing a further four assists and his electrifying form has long-been picking up transfer interest.

The left winger made his England international debut in May 2023, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in England’s Euros qualifier against Malta but he has been predicted to be utilised much more by Gareth Southgate in Germany in a few weeks time.