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Alan Smith explains Arsenal and Tottenham's advantage in Eberechi Eze transfer race
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Alan Smith believes Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur hold a distinct advantage over other Premier League clubs looking to sign Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze.
The 26-year-old was most recently seen representing England at Euro 2024, but he made his name over the past two seasons for Palace as he scored 10 and 11 times, respectively.
That output has led to teams like Manchester United and the aforementioned Arsenal and Tottenham to show interest in acquiring Eze this summer as Palace could lose three of their key players ahead of the new campaign.
Speaking to Genting Casino, Smith explained that Palace may not have much say over whether Eze and fellow England international Marc Guehi will join Michael Olise in leaving the club this summer.
"The future of Eberechi Eze will depend on Crystal Palace," Smith said. "There are reports that he has a release clause, so that does kind of take things out of their hands if a club is willing to meet it.
"They would have gone into this summer begrudgingly prepared to let one of their crown jewels depart. Michael Olise has already moved onto Bayern Munich, so that will have addressed any financial concerns the club may have had and the funds raised from his sale will help them bring in their own players.
"Eze and Guehi are players in demand according to reports. Will the experience of playing at the European Championships influenced their desire to try something different?
"Both players have performed well for England. Guehi, he’s had more opportunities and hasn’t really put a foot wrong and Eze looks a handful every time he comes on, so that speaks well of his ability and character as well."
Regarding where Eze will end up, former Gunner Smith said that if the suitors are limited to Man United, Arsenal and Tottenham then it could be the North London sides who are frontrunners.
"In terms of a preference of club, Eze is a London boy, so perhaps that gives an advantage to the likes of Arsenal or Spurs if they are indeed interested in him," he said. "I think he’s definitely good enough to play for one of the bigger clubs in the league, no disrespect to Palace."
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