Arsenal have pulled off a dramatic transfer coup after hijacking Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, with the forward now set to undergo a medical ahead of a £67.5 million move to the Emirates.
The Gunners struck an agreement with Palace worth £60 million guaranteed plus £7.5 million in add-ons, edging out their North London rivals just days after Spurs believed they had sealed the deal. Personal terms with Eze are close to being finalized, and the player is expected to complete his medical on Friday.
Tottenham had initially been confident of securing Eze’s signature, having reached a breakthrough in talks with both the club and the player earlier in the week. However, Arsenal reignited their interest following Kai Havertz’s injury setback and moved swiftly to complete the swoop.
The 27-year-old midfielder, who has two years left on his contract at Selhurst Park, did not feature in Crystal Palace’s Conference League play-off victory over Fredrikstad on Thursday but was spotted at Selhurst Park after the game, fueling speculation of an imminent departure.
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Spurs had been weighing up the inclusion of Richarlison in their negotiations to secure Eze, which would have opened the door for them to move for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. However, Wissa remains on Newcastle United’s radar, with the Magpies already having a second bid rejected.
Arsenal’s move for Eze is particularly significant given the player’s history with the club. Once part of the Gunners’ academy system, Eze has openly expressed his admiration for Arsenal during his youth. While the club initially backed away from pursuing him earlier in the window to focus on strengthening other positions and tying down key players, Havertz’s injury forced a change of plans.
The timing of the transfer is especially bitter for Spurs, who turned to Eze after missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White, who extended his stay at Nottingham Forest and losing James Maddison to a season-ending ACL injury. Arsenal’s last-minute intervention now leaves their rivals scrambling to find alternatives before the window closes.
With the medical scheduled and the deal nearly wrapped up, Arsenal fans are buzzing at the prospect of Eze donning the famous red and white shirt. If completed, the transfer will mark one of the most dramatic hijacks of the summer and a major boost for Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
