Arsenal have officially completed the signing of a Ukrainian midfielder on a seven-year contract. The player has successfully undergone his medical and is set to join training tomorrow, marking another significant addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad. While Arsenal fans celebrate this acquisition, another high-profile transfer story involving the club has taken a dramatic twist, with Eberechi Eze revealing a surprising reason why he will not be joining the Gunners.
Eze disclosed that he had been very close to signing for Arsenal, but a comment made by Mikel Arteta to the club’s board changed everything. The Crystal Palace playmaker said he had long respected Arteta but lost that admiration after hearing what was said. As a result, Eze is now on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur instead, turning the spotlight toward a fierce north London rivalry.
Tottenham are preparing to make their first formal bid for the 27-year-old England international this week. While Arsenal have also shown interest, Spurs appear ready to act first. Eze currently has a £68 million release clause in his Palace contract, although reports suggest it may expire in August, which would allow Palace to set their own price tag for the midfielder.
With two years remaining on his deal at Selhurst Park, Palace expect offers before the summer transfer window closes. Eze’s availability could spark a tense transfer battle between Arsenal and Tottenham, with both clubs wary of making a move that might end in rejection if the player chooses their rival instead.
Both north London clubs will be competing in the Champions League this season, but Arsenal’s ability to sign Eze is dependent on making significant sales. The Gunners have already spent close to £200 million this summer on Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Cristhian Mosquera.
Several Arsenal players, including Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, and Albert Sambi Lokonga, are reportedly available for transfer as the club looks to balance the books. Tottenham, on the other hand, have already invested around £126 million in new signings such as Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Luka Vuskovic, Kota Takai, and Joao Palhinha.
Spurs are also exploring the possibility of signing Savinho, though Manchester City are expected to demand more than £50 million for the Brazilian winger. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are trying to hold onto both Eze and Marc Guehi, another Tottenham target, despite growing interest from top clubs.
After Palace’s recent Community Shield victory over Liverpool, chairman Steve Parish expressed his desire to keep both players but admitted the realities of football. He acknowledged that while he hopes they will stay, player movement is an inevitable part of the sport’s cycle, leaving the door open for a late-window transfer twist.
Leave a Reply