Arsenal have outmaneuvered Tottenham Hotspur to sign Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, with the England international set for a medical at the Emirates.
The Gunners reignited their interest in the 27-year-old attacking midfielder after Kai Havertz suffered an injury, resuming negotiations with Palace on Wednesday and swiftly agreeing a deal worth around 68 million pounds.
Trusted transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the move with his signature “Here we go,” noting that a verbal agreement is in place between all parties, with Eze favoring Arsenal over Spurs despite Tottenham’s advanced talks.
David Ornstein of The Athletic has reported that the fee matches the expired release clause Tottenham were prepared to meet, and personal terms are nearing completion.
Graeme Bailey, a journalist for TBR Football, has backed these claims, stating that Arsenal have scheduled Eze’s medical for Friday. Bailey has said: “I can confirm that Arsenal have agreed terms with Palace, it is the 68 million pounds that Tottenham were willing to do. It had just needed talks about payment terms, but they are now agreed.”
He added: “Eze will feature for Palace on Thursday before having a medical at Arsenal on Friday. That’s the plan. Whether Eze does play remains to be seen.”
Bailey has also highlighted Eze’s enthusiasm for the switch, explaining: “Eze is really excited, it’s one of those situations where it has worked out as he wanted. As we know from the off, Arsenal were always Eze’s first choice. The main stumbling block was that they saw him as a number 10, it was not the fact that they did not like him. The Havertz injury has changed that.”
Tottenham had been confident of landing Eze and were even plotting to include Richarlison in a potential swap deal to entice Palace, according to reports from The Daily Mail and Sky Sports.
The Brazilian forward, who joined Spurs from Everton in 2022 for an initial 50 million pounds plus 10 million pounds in add-ons, was seen as a makeweight. However, those efforts fell flat, and Spurs’ plans to then pursue Brentford striker Yoane Wissa have been disrupted by the collapse.
The fallout has left Tottenham supporters fuming, especially with Son Heung-min departing for Los Angeles FC and James Maddison sidelined long-term due to an ACL rupture in his right knee.
Eze, versatile enough to operate as an attacking midfielder or left-winger, would have been an ideal fit to bolster their attack before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has voiced his frustration on X, posting: “If this is happening, I do hope not! Then I’m sorry; it’s a shambles again for not getting this over the line for a few million more.” He continued: “Why are we trying to become the laughing stock of the town again? I hoped that after our positive first win in the Premier League campaign, we would build a bigger squad to compete in all competitions this season! Let’s hope they’re still doing it.”
Vega added: “You know that a key player like Maddison is out for the season, so you don’t hesitate to get a replacement as soon as one becomes available, since we had that opportunity. Crazy to believe this!”
In the wake of Eze’s decision, Tottenham have shifted focus to alternatives, including Genk’s Bilal El Khannouss, ironically, a player Palace are eyeing as Eze’s replacement, as well as Savinho, Tyler Dibling, and Harvey Elliott, per recent updates from Graeme Bailey.
Sources like ESPN and The Independent have described Arsenal’s intervention as a “hijack,” emphasizing how the Gunners capitalized on Eze’s preference for them despite Spurs’ stronger personal terms offer.
This move strengthens Arsenal’s creative options, with Eze’s flair and goal threat set to add depth amid their push for silverware. Meanwhile, Tottenham must regroup quickly to address their attacking voids in a season already marked by key absences.
