BREAKING: Arsenal get Eberechi Eze transfer boost after Crystal Palace Conference League talks

Eberechi Eze is unlikely to play in Crystal Palace's Conference League play-off first leg tie against Fredrikstad on Thursday night,football.london understands. Arsenal have been keen not to see their prospective new attacker in action for another club after agreeing a transfer buy him.

Palace are still two games away from the Conference League group phase and had wanted to use Eze before selling him, but the switch to Arsenal rather than Tottenham has seen their stance change. Eze is expected to have his medical ahead of the move on Friday.

Talks took place between all parties today with Arsenal keen wanting to see the player risked. It went down to the wire at the weekend before the game with Chelsea as to whether he would play.

At that stage it appeared as if Tottenham would be signing the 27-year-old. However, Arsenal moved ahead of their fierce north London rivals on Wednesday in a dramatic twist after they entered the race once more.

Kai Havertz's injury left Arsenal to epxlore their options in the final trwo weeks of the window and Eze quickly emerged as the priority target after Andrea Berta had already laid the groundwork for a deal earlier in the summer. Eze chose Arsenal over Tottenham once he heard of the reignited interest.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner had been firm on both Eze and Marc Guehi playing in the Conference League on Thursday with their qualification for the expanded group stage still at stake. Fredrikstad travel to Selhurst Park from Norway with the second leg due to be played next week.

"Many of you were surprised they started against Chelsea," Glasner said ahead of the game on Wednesday. "You may be surprised they will start tomorrow because of all the rumours.

"But they are committed to the team, they have a contract here and want to play a crucial part in our success. They will play a crucial part for as long as they are here.

"If they leave, they want to leave as the guys who gave 100 per cent to Crystal Palace. This is what they have done since they signed many years ago and this is what we expect from them until the end."

Eze was a standout player from Palace's 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. He appeared to be saying goodbye to the away end as he was substituted off in the second half.

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