Arsenal have pulled off a stunning late swoop to sign Crystal Palace midfielder, Eberechi Eze, hijacking Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of the England international in a deal worth up to £67.5 million ($91m), according to reports.
Spurs were confident on Wednesday morning that a deal was virtually sealed after reaching an agreement with Palace and personal terms with the player.
Surprisingly by evening, Arsenal accelerated negotiations after concerns that Kai Havertz could face a lengthy spell out with a knee injury.
The deal is structured at £60m up front with £7.5m in add-ons, with Eze expected to feature for Palace in Thursday’s Europa Conference League playoff first leg against Fredrikstad, which is likely his final game for the club.
Arsenal’s Ruthless Intent for Eberechi Eze
The Gunners’ dramatic intervention is a statement of intent as Mikel Arteta pushes for silverware this season.
Having invested almost £200m already this summer on Viktor Gyökeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke, Arsenal’s hierarchy decided against waiting for Havertz’s scans before acting.
Instead of opting for a loan stopgap, Arsenal moved decisively to land Eze, a player long admired at the Emirates. The midfielder is also a boyhood Arsenal fan, having spent time in the club’s academy before being released at 13.
Spurs, who even considered a cash-plus-Richarlison deal to tempt Palace, have now been left stunned, missing out on another top target after their failed pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this summer.
Why Arsenal Moved for Eberechi Eze
Kai Havertz missed training on Wednesday with a knee issue. Initial assessments suggest he could be sidelined for a significant period, leaving Gyökeres as Arsenal’s only recognised striker.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli can deputise, but Arteta wanted another proven attacker.
Eze fits the bill. The 27-year-old scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists last season, inspiring Palace to their first FA Cup triumph, including a winner against Manchester City in the final.
Arsenal believe his versatility and he’s capable of playing as a No. 10, wide forward, or deeper midfielder will add much-needed creativity and threat in the final third.
A Dream Homecoming
For Eze, the move is also personal. He admitted previously that he “cried for a week” after being released by Arsenal in 2011.
Having rebuilt his career through spells at Fulham, Reading, Millwall, QPR, and then Palace, he now returns to the Emirates with a chance to make history in red and white.
Spurs on the otherhand will have to focus on alternative targets.
This is more than a transfer coup for Arsenal as the Gunners are going all-in for the Premier League and Champions League this season.
