Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has declared that Eberechi Eze will not feature for the club again, seemingly confirming the player's imminent departure. The announcement came after Eze withdrew from Crystal Palace’s Conference League play-off match against Fredrikstad, citing illness.

Glasner revealed that Eze called him on Thursday morning to say he was unwell and unable to play, forcing a last-minute change to the lineup. Glasner admitted his disappointment, stating he had expected Eze to start the game. He acknowledged he had to accept the player's decision. "Ebs will not play for us anymore, so it does not make sense to talk about him. It's gone,” Glasner told Channel 5. “It looks like wishing him all the best for the new club, and for us, it is about bringing more players in, but they will not be allowed to play in the second leg".

Reports suggest Eze is on the verge of a £67.5 million move to Arsenal, with a medical expected to take place soon. Arsenal apparently moved quickly to secure the deal after Kai Havertz sustained an injury. It appears Arsenal "gazumped" Tottenham to sign Eze.

Glasner indicated that the club has been preparing for Eze's departure for several weeks and hopes to finalize replacements within the next ten days. He stated, "Yesterday we got an offer (for Eze) and we said yes,”. “We knew that more or less this will happen. So, we are already looking for weeks for the right replacements, and I hope we will get this done in 10 more days' time".

Eze's absence from the Fredrikstad match marks what appears to be his last involvement with Crystal Palace. Some suggest his last appearance was the 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Sunday. Fans showed up to the game with signs showing their support for Eze, with one calling him a "Palace legend". Glasner said he did not know if Eze would be at Selhurst Park.