Arsenal have pulled off one of the biggest transfer hijacks of the summer by snatching Eberechi Eze from under the noses of their bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Crystal Palace star was set to join Spurs in a £60m package deal, but Arsenal stormed in late with a £60m bid plus £7.5m in add-ons, beating Tottenham’s offer of £50m plus £10m in add-ons.
Eze, who has been one of the brightest attacking midfielders in the Premier League, has chosen Arsenal over Spurs – a decision that has sent shockwaves across North London.
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes this is the move that could push Arsenal all the way to the Premier League title.
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“I’m seeing [Matheus] Cunha and [Bryan] Mbeumo getting these moves, and he’s better than all of them,” Agbonlahor said. “That’s going to be an outstanding signing for Arsenal, and I believe this move wins Arsenal the Premier League. That left side has been a problem.”
Attention has quickly shifted to when Eze could step onto the pitch for his new club. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder is set to undergo his Arsenal medical on Friday, right after Crystal Palace’s Europa League playoff clash with Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park.
If all goes smoothly, Arsenal want him registered before Friday 12pm, which would make him eligible to debut against newly-promoted Leeds United on Saturday evening at the Emirates Stadium.
But that deadline is tight. If the paperwork isn’t finished in time, fans may have to wait for Arsenal’s huge clash with Liverpool at Anfield on August 31 to see Eze in red and white for the first time.
The hijack has left Tottenham stunned. Spurs were confident they had sealed a deal for Eze, only for Arsenal to swoop in at the final moment.
Club chairman Daniel Levy and manager Thomas Frank are now scrambling for alternatives. One player linked is Savinho from Manchester City, though talks have not progressed.
It is yet another blow for Spurs this summer, following their failure to land Morgan Gibbs-White.
For Crystal Palace, the loss of their star player is a huge setback. Eze was their creative heartbeat, and replacing him won’t be easy.
Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss has been strongly linked as a possible replacement, though his price tag of over £30m could make things tricky.
Another option is Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, who scored 20 goals last season. But the Greek winger only signed a new deal this summer, making any transfer complicated.
With the transfer window closing in just over a week, Palace are racing against time to fill the void left by Eze.
For Arsenal, the signing of Eze could be a game-changer. Mikel Arteta has been searching for more creativity and firepower on the left side of midfield.
Eze’s dribbling, flair, and ability to glide past defenders could give Arsenal an edge in breaking down stubborn defenses – something that has cost them points in past title races.
With Bukayo Saka on the right, Martin Ødegaard in the middle, and now Eze on the left, Arsenal’s attack looks more dangerous than ever.
This move also sends a clear message: Arsenal are not just aiming to challenge for the Premier League – they want to win it.
Hijacking a top talent from Spurs doesn’t just improve the squad; it strengthens Arsenal’s psychological edge in the rivalry.
And with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City showing no signs of slowing down, Arsenal know they must take bold steps to compete.
All eyes now turn to the medical, the paperwork, and the potential debut date.
Arsenal fans will be dreaming of seeing Eze in action at the Emirates this weekend. But even if the debut is delayed until Anfield, the excitement is already sky-high.
Meanwhile, Tottenham will have to act fast to save face before the transfer window slams shut.
And for Crystal Palace, the post-Eze era begins with huge questions about how to replace their star man.
One thing is certain: this transfer saga will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the summer.
