Arsenal's two extra incentives for Eberechi Eze that Tottenham failed to match

Arsenal usurped rivals Tottenham in the hunt to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze with two factors related to transfer incentives turning the fight in their favour

Arsenal's willingness to offer superior incentives reportedly proved pivotal in their efforts to sign Eberechi Eze ahead of rivals Tottenham. Namely, the Gunners proposed more achievable bonus conditions in a faster payment package in order to help convince Crystal Palace to sell to them instead.

Mikel Arteta's side look set to be bolstered by the £67.5million arrival of the England international following a breakthrough on Wednesday. The situation progressed after it emerged Arsenal attacker Kai Havertz is poised for a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

It's been reported that Greenwich-born Eze preferred a move to Arsenal instead of Spurs. And it now looks as though the Gunners will get their man after gazumping Tottenham with a package Palace will find more appealing.

Tottenham reportedly advanced their own efforts to recruit Eze after James Maddison tore his ACL in pre-season. However, the loss of Havertz for at least the next few weeks appears to have forced Arsenal's hand in improving the terms on offer.

Sky Sports reported on Thursday that Arsenal will pay Palace a guaranteed £60m, plus a further £7.5m in add-ons. The player had a £68m release clause (£60m plus £8m in add-ons) in his contract, which expired when the Premier League season got underway.

Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta reportedly met with Eze in early July to discuss his transfer. The player was allegedly sold on the move, but the north Londoners didn't lodge a formal offer until this week.

The Gunners are now on the verge of agreeing personal terms with the player before the deal is completed. It's understood Spurs have already withdrawn their interest and are now examining alternative solutions in attacking midfield.

Tottenham were believed to be preparing a player-plus-cash offer that would have sweetened the deal for Palace. Forward Richarlison was being touted as a potential makeweight, but they appear to have accepted defeat in the hunt.

Eze, 27, is said to be keen to remain in Palace's squad for Thursday's Europa Conference League game against Fredrikstad, but the club might yet pull him out. After five years at Selhurst Park, it's suggested the player wants to pay his respects and bid farewell to the fans properly.

FA Cup-winner Eze has earned 12 caps for England and will link up with international team-mates Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly. He'll also get to make his Champions League debut this season provided the move goes through as expected.

The boyhood Arsenal fan previously played in the club's academy as a youngster. However, he was released before joining the youth set-ups at Fulham, Reading and Millwall in his teens.