Eberechi Eze’s £68 million release clause at Crystal Palace officially expires today.

Eberechi Eze’s £68 million release clause at Crystal Palace officially expires today.

— Friday, 1 August 2025, at 11:59 pm UK time . This clause included a £60 million base fee plus up to £8 million in add‑ons . After expiry, any interested club must negotiate with Palace directly rather than trigger the clause unilaterally.

 

🎯 What this means:

 

Arsenal reportedly chose not to activate the clause before it expired. They have conveyed to Palace that they value Eze at under £60 million and are looking for an installment-based deal or structured payment, possibly an initial £30 million followed by installments over two years .

 

Despite the clause ending, Crystal Palace still value Eze at around £68 million, demanding at least £35 million up front and maintaining similar valuation post‑clause .

 

Arsenal and Palace remain in ongoing direct negotiations, with Palace pressing for full fee alignment with the original clause and Arsenal finalizing squad decisions before making a formal bid .

 

 

🧩 Background Context:

 

Eze signed a contract extension in November 2023 that included this release clause valid until early August 2025, roughly 14 days before the new season kicks off . Since then, he’s been a central figure at Selhurst Park, notably scoring the decisive goal in Palace’s first-ever major trophy, the 2025 FA Cup final .

 

🔮 Looking ahead:

 

Negotiations now hinge on Arsenal’s ability to substantiate a lower-fee agreement or payment plan.

 

Time pressure looms as the Premier League season begins in mid‑August.

 

Should Arsenal fail to strike a deal, Palace could retain Eze, or look to sell him later—though likely at a similar valuation if no replacement is agreed.

 

 

Ultimately, today marks the end of any automatic trigger of £68 million — the transfer window now enters traditional club-to-club bargaining territory.