EBERECHI EZE will NOT be playing for Crystal Palace tonight in the Europa Conference League, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
The Gunners have agreed a deal with both Palace and the player over a £67.5million switch to the Emirates.
ReutersEberechi Eze will NOT play for Crystal Palace tonight[/caption]
Eze, 27, had hoped to feature for the Eagles — but with his move to Arsenal now imminent, he won’t be taking any risks.
The Gunners swooped in to agree a deal to sign the talisman from under the noses of their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs believed that they had wrapped up a deal for Eze until last night when Arsenal made their hijack move.
Oliver Glasner will now be without his star man for the Conference League clash with Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad FK.
The match is the Eagles’ first in European competition in their history and they will host it at Selhurst Park.
The tie is the first leg of the playoff round in order to qualify for the league phase.
Palace had originally been hoping to play in the Europa League this season but were relegated due to multi-club ownership rules by Uefa.
But SunSport understands he will not have any participation in the game.
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN
As a result of Palace’s relegation, Nottingham Forest were promoted to the Europa League after finishing 7th last term.
Glasner will now have to rely on attackers such as Isamila Sarr, Daichi Kamada and Jean-Phillipe Mateta in the match.
The Austrian manager could also hand a chance to former Millwall star Romain Esse in the match.
Eze snubbed the move to Spurs having previously been in the youth ranks of the Gunners.
He could give his new manager Mikel Arteta, plenty of options this season with his ability to play in multiple positions.
The England international can feature on the left wing, central midfield and no10 role.
Arsenal’s transfer deals
IN
Viktor Gyökeres – from Sporting Lisbon – £64m
Noni Madueke – from Chelsea – £52m
Martin Zubimendi – from Real Sociedad – £51m
Christian Norgaard – from Brentford – £15m
Cristhian Mosquera – from Valencia – £13m
Kepa Arrizabalaga – from Chelsea – £5m
TOTAL – £200m
OUT
Nuno Taveres – to Lazio – £4.4m
Marquinhos – to Cruzeiro – £2.6m
Jorginho – to Flamengo – free
Kieran Tierney – to Celtic – free
Takehiro Tomiyasu – released
Thomas Partey – released
TOTAL – £7m
Should his move to Arsenal be completed in time, then he could feature in the Emirates clash against Leeds United on Saturday.
Eze will also become the SEVENTH player through the doors this summer.
The club have already added Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga during the window.
Eze’s move would take the club’s spending to well over £250MILLION.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
