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.
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.
