Eze agreed personal terms with Spurs, who reached an agreement over a transfer fee on Wednesday, but Palace refused to immediately greenlight an exit as they wanted their talisman available for Thursday’s Conference League qualifier against Fredrikstad. As a result, the door was opened to Arsenal.

Discussions with Crystal Palace are believed to be progressing and Eze has made it clear that he wants to join Spurs.

Eze always preferred to join Arsenal – the club where he spent time in the academy – and that proved crucial in luring him back to the Gunners.