Arsenal have moved ahead of bitter rivals Tottenham in the race for Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze with sporting director Andrea Berta attempting to get a deal done by next month’s deadline
Arsenal have once again put Tottenham’s noses out of joint when it comes to the transfer market - this time with a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Spurs looked set to seal a sensational deal for the England wideman in what represented a considerable coup for Thomas Frank's side.
But Arsenal have not let Eze move to North London without muscling in on a deal and it now appears that the 27-year-old is now primed for a switch to the Emirates Stadium before next month’s transfer deadline. It’s certainly left Spurs baffled, while Arsenal now appear to have secured a player that they have admired for some time. The process in the Gunners hijacking the move has not been particularly swift though.
According to The Independent, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta actually thrashed out the terms of the deal as early as August 10 - though that was kept quiet, so much so to the extent that word was put out that they needed to sell players first, while a left-winger was higher up on their agenda. Their move for Eze was basically put on ice.
That left the door open to Spurs, who were then considered as the favourites for his services. football.london suggest they finally agreed terms with Palace and Eze on Wednesday after a series of complicated and often fraught discussions - with the player himself ready to move, albeit after turning out for the Eagles in their Europa Conference League playoff vs Fredrikstad on Thursday.
Kai Havertz’s knee injury appears to have accelerated Arsenal’s thinking when it comes to a move though. It is suggested that their offer for Eze has actually gazumped Spurs’ bid.
Daniel Levy had thrashed out a deal worth £50m plus £10m in add-ons, while Arsenal will pay £60m and £7.5m in add-ons. Meanwhile, Steve Parish’s relationship with Arsenal executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis appears to have moved the Gunners to the front of the queue over recent days.
The pair are in regular communication - far more than Parish and Spurs chief Levy. The chance of more business also appears to have strengthened Arsenal’s hand - with defender Jakub Kiwior currently of interest to Palace.
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In the middle of all of it though was Eze himself, who was apparently ‘excited’ about becoming a Spurs player despite his previous affection for the Gunners. The England man was released by Arsenal as a teenager and had spoken of his ‘dream’ to one day represent the club.
Given Arsenal’s previous hesitation, he had accepted that dream might not become a reality. He had reportedly held talks with Parish to try and resolve the situation but to no avail.
That was until Wednesday, when reports broke that Arsenal had moved to the front of the queue for Eze. Spurs have not officially pulled out but all of the signs now point to Eze becoming an Arsenal player.
It has now left Levy facing questions. The Spurs chief has also missed out on a deal for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, with Gubbs-White also ready to move before performing a dramatic u-turn to sign a new deal with the Midlands side.
This one will likely sting more. It leaves Arsenal with a hugely talented footballer, who appears to have secured his dream move against all odds.