Eberechi Eze has officially joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace in a transfer deal valued at £67.5 million. This move comes after Tottenham Hotspur believed they had secured an agreement with both Palace and Eze earlier in the week. Arsenal's announcement of the signing was made just before their match against Leeds.

Transfer Details

The Gunners will pay a guaranteed fee of £60 million, with an additional £7.5 million in potential add-ons, bringing their total summer spending to £267 million. Eze has signed a four-year contract with the option for an extra year and will don the iconic No. 10 shirt, which has been worn by club legends such as Dennis Bergkamp, Mesut Ozil, and Robin van Persie, as well as academy graduates Jack Wilshere and Emile Smith Rowe.

Hijacked Move and Manager's Comments

Tottenham had been pursuing Eze and felt they were close to finalizing a deal when Arsenal intervened, partly due to an injury to Kai Havertz. However, it has been clarified that Havertz's injury was not the sole reason for Arsenal's swift action. Manager Mikel Arteta described the transfer as "one of the fastest and one of the most probably unexpected," commending the club's leadership for their quick decision-making. He emphasized the determination shown by the ownership and board to elevate the club's ambitions.

Arsenal had been exploring various options in the early weeks of the transfer window, with significant groundwork laid in June. Eze is viewed as a versatile player capable of contributing on the left, in central positions, and on the right side of the pitch. Meanwhile, Tottenham had considered including Richarlison in a potential deal for Eze, which would have allowed them to pursue Yoane Wissa, a player familiar to their manager from his time at Brentford.