Arsenal Hijacks Eberechi Eze As Tottenham Scramble For Alternatives

‎Tottenham Hotspur’s chase for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze appeared all but complete until Arsenal stormed in.

‎What looked like a deal on the verge of completion for the Crystal Palace star has now collapsed into chaos, leaving the club’s hierarchy under mounting pressure from their supporters.

‎Arsenal’s Timely Ambush

‎Spurs had been optimistic of finalizing a deal for Eze this week, but Arsenal’s intervention changed the trajectory overnight. Mikel Arteta’s side had monitored the Palace star all summer, waiting for the right moment to strike.

‎That opportunity came when Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury, forcing the Gunners to accelerate their plans for a creative reinforcement.

‎Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s newly appointed sporting director, wasted no time. Acting decisively, he convinced both Palace and Eze that the Emirates was the right destination.

‎Reports suggest the deal could be worth around £60 million, reducing Tottenham’s earlier opportunity to trigger a £68 million release clause that has since expired.

‎Eze’s willingness to keep his options open proved crucial. While Spurs were confident of his commitment, insiders now admit the 26-year-old never fully closed the door on Arsenal, leaving Tottenham’s position weaker than they realised.

‎Tottenham’s Costly Hesitation

‎Daniel Levy and Johan Lange, Tottenham’s chairman and technical director, are now left to explain how they let the deal slip. Earlier in the summer, Spurs had the chance to activate Eze’s release clause but chose not to, gambling on Palace’s willingness to negotiate.

‎That decision has backfired spectacularly.

‎Palace, for their part, also played hardball. They insisted on securing a replacement before sanctioning Eze’s exit and inserted late demands for revised clauses and bonuses.

‎Those complications stalled the Spurs just long enough for Arsenal to pounce.

‎What Next for Spurs?

‎Tottenham now face the urgent task of finding an alternative attacking signing to appease both Thomas Frank and an already restless fanbase. Several names are on their radar:

‎Savinho (Manchester City) – Spurs have already made an approach for the winger, but it was rebuffed. Coincidentally, they travel to the Etihad this weekend, which could provide a stage to reignite talks though City may not be willing sellers.

‎Tyler Dibling (Southampton) – Highly rated, but Southampton’s £50m+ valuation has long been viewed as excessive. Everton and Palace are also interested.

‎Bilal El Khannouss (Genk) – A creative midfielder admired at Spurs and also on Palace’s shortlist. This could become a head-to-head tussle, with Tottenham eyeing revenge.

‎Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) – Mentioned internally, but Villa have made clear he is not for sale.

‎There are other long-shot options. Alejandro Garnacho has been discussed, but his camp is prioritizing Chelsea. Nico Paz from Como is admired, and Maghnes Akliouche at Monaco has been highlighted as another creative possibility.

‎Spurs will be exploring other angles and options today as well.

‎There is a sense of urgency. Spurs believed they had their target, but Arsenal acted decisively, leaving their north London rivals scrambling.