Arsenal have completed a sensational swoop for Eberechi Eze after hijacking Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to sign the Crystal Palace forward in a dramatic late twist to the summer transfer window. The Gunners have agreed a deal worth £67.5 million, including £60 million guaranteed and an additional £7.5 million in performance-related add-ons.
Personal terms with the 27-year-old are close to being finalised, and the player is expected to undergo his medical on Friday ahead of the official announcement.
Tottenham believed they had secured Eze’s signature on Wednesday after extensive talks with Crystal Palace and the player’s representatives. Spurs were confident of closing the deal, even preparing to offer Richarlison as part of the transfer to free up space in their attacking lineup.
However, Arsenal reignited their long-standing interest in the England international following Kai Havertz’s recent injury and matched Spurs’ financial package late in the negotiations, successfully convincing Eze to choose the Emirates over north London rivals Tottenham.
A boyhood Arsenal fan, Eze’s decision was heavily influenced by his emotional ties to the club where he spent time as a youth player before being released at the age of 13. Mikel Arteta sees the dynamic forward as a key addition who can inject creativity and flair into Arsenal’s attack. Eze, who scored crucial goals for Crystal Palace last season, including strikes in the FA Cup semi-final and final, is expected to compete for a starting role alongside Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, offering Arsenal more variety in the final third.
Despite the agreement, Eze is expected to feature for Crystal Palace in their UEFA Conference League play-off against Norwegian side Fredrikstad on Thursday night. Current UEFA rules allow him to represent Arsenal in the Champions League group stage later this season, even if he features in Palace’s qualifier.
The Eagles, who initially resisted letting their talisman leave, had been holding out for an improved offer after his £68 million release clause expired earlier this month.
Tottenham’s failure to secure Eze has sparked frustration among fans, many of whom are blaming chairman Daniel Levy and the club’s hierarchy for missing out on a priority signing. Spurs had moved for Eze after losing James Maddison to a season-ending ACL injury and missing out on Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, but Arsenal’s decisive late action left them empty-handed.
