Arsenal have pulled off one of the biggest transfer shocks of the summer by hijacking Tottenham Hotspur’s near-complete deal for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, securing the England international in a dramatic £60 million swoop.
The move comes as a major statement of intent from the Gunners, who are determined to mount a serious Premier League title challenge and go deep in the Champions League this season.
Spurs were on the brink of finalizing the signing of the 27-year-old, with terms reportedly agreed both with Palace and the player. However, Arsenal moved decisively on Wednesday after concerns emerged over a potential knee injury to Kai Havertz, prompting Mikel Arteta’s side to act swiftly.
Instead of seeking a short-term loan option, Arsenal opted to invest heavily, capitalizing on Eze’s long-standing admiration for the club he once represented as a youth player before being released at the age of 13. Sources close to the deal revealed that Eze’s emotional connection to Arsenal ultimately tilted the balance, despite Tottenham’s advanced negotiations.
Eze, who played a pivotal role in Crystal Palace’s historic FA Cup triumph last season with key goals against Aston Villa, Fulham, and Manchester City, recorded 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions. His ability to perform on the biggest stages has earned him a reputation as a match-winner, qualities Arsenal hope will bolster their attacking depth.
The transfer is also being viewed as a psychological blow to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and new manager Thomas Frank, who believed Eze was within their grasp. The failed deal follows Spurs’ recent disappointment in missing out on Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
Eze now joins an ambitious Arsenal squad reinforced by high-profile signings, including striker Viktor Gyokeres (£64m) and midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m). His versatility means he could operate on the left wing or in a more central role, adding flexibility to Arteta’s attacking options.
For Eze, the move represents a full-circle moment. He once admitted to “crying for a week” after being released by Arsenal’s academy as a teenager. Now, the forward returns to the Emirates as a marquee signing tasked with helping the club end a five-year wait for silverware.
