Bukayo Saka warns Man City and Tottenham about Eberechi Eze as transfer race hots up

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has thrown a friendly yet cautionary shoutout about Crystal Palace's sensation Eberechi Eze. The pair were both part of the England squad at Euro 2024 this summer.

Eze was only used sparingly in Germany but enjoyed an excellent end to the season with Crystal Palace. And those displays have got heavyweight clubs sniffing around. With Manchester City , Liverpool, and Tottenham all reportedly chasing a deal, although it's Spurs reportedly edging ahead.

But as they vie to snap him up, Saka's offered a candid insight into what the North London training grounds might soon have to handle. Opening up on the standout skillsters in the England camp, Saka was quick to tip his hat to 'Ebs', aka Eze, citing: "He has been class in training. He has impressed me the most, I would say."

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Saka's sentiments echo those of ex-QPR teammate Joel Lynch, who previously admitted to BBC Sport that facing Eze was nothing less than a minefield, confessing: "I just wouldn't go near him [Eze]. He'd just do some madness and try and nutmeg me.

"Before the start of games, where everyone is giving each other high fives, I'd go up to him and say, 'Mate, score a couple now so we can all go home. Just win us the game, please'' He was that good. I actually thought at the time he could literally just win us the game. The only time I watch the Premier League now is to watch him play."

According to TalkSPORT, Spurs are leading the race for Eze, with negotiations reportedly at a 'more advanced' stage than City's, despite Pep Guardiola's firm interest in the player. This comes as Kevin de Bruyne is rumored to be on the brink of a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad.

If Spurs do secure Eze's signature for a reported $88m (£68m), the club's defenders will certainly have been given a heads-up about what to expect in their first training session.

Lynch also pointed to a loan spell at League Two side Wycombe Wanderers as a turning point in young Eze's career, saying: "He was a brilliant player before he went but when he came back he was just a different animal. It was just mad. I don't know what happened to him but when he came back he was unbelievable, just a completely different player.

"Every aspect of his game had improved. He literally returned as our best player. He was head and shoulders above the rest. His attitude is exemplary. If any young lad coming through the game wants to model themselves on a player, it should be him. He's the epitome of professionalism. He's a class act."

Liverpool.com says: Eze is one of the standout players in the Premier League on his day and it appears a case of when, rather than if, he leaves Crystal Palace. Liverpool was credited with an interest but is not expected to make a move this summer and that could leave City and Spurs in a straight shootout for his signature.