LONDON (AP) — Eberechi Eze was left out of Crystal Palace's team for its Conference League playoff match on Thursday amid reports the England forward is about to join Arsenal.

Palace named a close-to-full-strength team against Fredrikstad and Eze was the standout omission, not even included among the substitutes.

Widespread reports in the British media said Eze has agreed to a transfer to Arsenal, which has moved late in the summer window for a player who was reportedly close to joining north London rival Tottenham.

The 27-year-old Eze will cost an initial 60 million pounds ($80 million), according to the reports, including from the BBC. It would take Arsenal's spending in this summer transfer window to around 250 million pounds ($335 million).

Neither Palace nor Arsenal have commented

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