Eberechi Eze’s request reportedly caught Chelsea off guard during transfer negotiations, making the deal now appear ‘unlikely’ to happen.

Chelsea recently entered talks with a Premier League star in hopes of securing a move to Stamford Bridge. Their target was Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, who was offered the chance to play Champions League football next season.

Fans were excited about the prospect, especially after missing out on Michael Olise—another former Palace talent who has since become a global attacking force. The Blues have already added Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, and Joao Pedro to their frontline, with Estevao Willian’s transfer nearing completion. Yet, they still plan to make further attacking signings before the window closes.

However, a deal for Eze now appears unlikely. According to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea were taken aback by the player’s high wage demands during discussions with his representatives. Additionally, the club discovered that Eze’s £67.5 million release clause must be paid upfront—something Chelsea are hesitant to do for a player nearing his late twenties.

While they respect Eze’s talent and initially showed interest to understand the terms of a deal, Chelsea may now move on to other options. The club typically avoids splashing large sums on players over 25, making this deal unappealing under current terms.

Following the stall in talks with Eze, Chelsea have shifted their attention to RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, who had an impressive Bundesliga season. The Dutch playmaker is open to joining Chelsea, but they’ll face competition from Arsenal, who also admire the young attacker.