Eberechi Eze has been left out of Crystal Palace’s squad for their Europa Conference League playoff game against Fredrikstad ahead of his move to Arsenal.
There had been some doubt over whether the attacking midfielder would feature for the Eagles on Thursday night.
But manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that Eze would play no part ahead of his transfer to the Gunners after they hijacked the move from Tottenham.
When the team sheet was revealed, Glasner’s words were verified, with Eze nowhere to be seen.
It is not known whether the decision to omit Eze came from the boss, player or those higher up in the club such as Steve Parish ahead of the lucrative switch, understood to be worth in excess of £60million.
Palace are competing against the Norwegian side at Selhurst Park in the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off, with the return fixture taking place on August 28.
Eberechi Eze will not play in Crystal Palace’s game tonight ahead of his move to Arsenal
Manager Oliver Glasner will be without his attacking midfield star for Thursday’s game
By that time, Eze is highly likely to have joined Arsenal, the club he supported as a boy.
Spurs had been in negotiations with Palace over Eze for the past 10 days as they tried to agree a move worth £55million plus add-ons.
However, after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury, the Gunners’ need for another attacker saw them turn to Eze.
Arsenal had earmarked signing the 27-year-old England international earlier in the window and knew they were his preferred destination but, following their £63m outlay on Viktor Gyokeres, they had wanted to concentrate on outgoings before adding another left-sided attacker.
But with Havertz set to be absent for an extended period, after suffering his injury in Arsenal’s win at Manchester United on Sunday, the Gunners acted to steal Eze from under the nose of their fierce rivals.
Sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta met Eze last month, and he was sold on the idea of moving to the Gunners but an offer failed to materialise at that time.
Eze’s release clause of £60m, plus £8m in bonuses, lapsed last week.
Daily Mail Sport understands Spurs agreed to Palace’s demands on Wednesday and also agreed terms with Eze. At that stage, the player was keen to finalise the move.
However, Palace are understood to have insisted Eze remain available for their Conference League play-off first leg against Norwegian side Fredrikstad on Thursday night.
Arsenal then stepped in on Wednesday afternoon and Eze will not play for the Eagles and risk an injury derailing his dream move.
