Tottenham's transfer strategy of late has been to snap up the best footballers throughout the Premier League's mid- and lower-table clubs, and they've done so with a bit of mixed success.
Yves Bissouma has been largely impressive despite a slow first season and second-half dropoff this campaign.
Richarlison had established himself as one of the most electrifying strikers in the league with Watford and Everton, and he has come through in North London after a hip operation in December.
James Maddison's arrival has been sensational, giving Spurs a creative mind they hadn't had since Christian Eriksen.
However, the rebuild is still on at Tottenham. This summer will likely see a clear-out of unwanted players and a refresh with new faces. Transfer attention will certainly be on the smaller London clubs like Fulham, Brentford, and Crystal Palace; and right now, Spurs are linked to a Palace midfielder: the extremely talented Eberechi Eze.
The rumor was reported by Football Transfers ahead of the North London Derby on Sunday, April 28.
According to Steve Kay, sources have reported that Eze and his family were invited to watch the match alongside the Spurs recruitment team this weekend. The 25-year-old is a London native, coming through the ranks at Arsenal, Fulham, Reading, Millwall, and QPR before signing for Palace in 2020 for PS7.7 million (Transfermarkt).
Playing under Patrick Vieira, Roy Hodgson, and now Oliver Glasner, Eze has become a talismanic player for the South London side.
Dawning the No. 10 kit and playing such a role - you may recall Eze hit a stellar free kick when the Eagles visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in early March - he has potted eight goals and added three assists in 24 appearances in the league so far (Transfermarkt). He's undoubtedly dangerous in the central areas of the pitch, but he can also play on either flanke as a winger.
! | Tottenham Hotspur are intensifying their pursuit of Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze ahead of the summer.
Eze would prefer a move to Spurs over a move to other top Premier League sides due to family ties.
[@TransfersDotCom]#THFC | #COYS | #TOTTENHAM pic.twitter.com/jGNdK0689n
- Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) April 25, 2024 Versatility is evidently a trait manager Ange Postecoglou likes in his players, and Eze's creativity and eye for goal certainly grabbed the attention of sporting director Johan Lange's attention.
If the club truly invited Eze to watch the North London Derby, it is a sign of intent to impress the young player. His skill set could be perfect for the all-out attack Postecoglou loves to play, and he's also known to track back and make challenges on the ball, not afraid to get stuck in when needed.
The race for the Englishman's signature will not be easy, however.
Rivals Arsenal and Manchester City are also circling overhead. Nevertheless, Spurs may have the edge, as Kay reported Arsenal rejected Eze as a youth footballer in 2011. Manchester City are a different animal, though, with their massive financial might, and are looking for the eventual successor to Kevin De Bruyne.
Eze may also be a critical depth piece for Postecolgou should Tottenham sign him. He is currently worth around PS35 million, but considering he plays for a London club and is such a key player for Glasner, Palace could charge somewhere between PS50-60 million.
Notably, Tottenham are likely to sell before they buy. Players like Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso might be moved on, leaving room on the depth chart. However, it's important to note that Tottenham also have Jamie Donley and Mikey Moore on the verge of cracking the first team, and academy players are free.
With this in mind, it's possible that a role at winger could be the best fit for Eze if he comes to North London.
Spurs are thin in the winger department due to the long-term injuries to Manor Solomon and the departure of Ivan Perisic.
Richarlison can of course play out wide, but he is likely to continue as the lead striker when out on the pitch, with Son Heung-min (or Timo Werner) moved to the left flank.
Eze could potentially slot in at right-wing in place of Brennan Johnson or, Dejan Kulusevski, who has struggled in recent weeks and may move into a central position next season, opening even more places for Eze to start wide.
Palace's talisman will not be cheap, but if Tottenham can beat Arsenal and City to his signature, they will have one of the top rising talents in English football among their ranks.