Arsenal Hijack Spurs To Land Eberechi Eze In £67.5m Transfer Twist

A Deal That Stunned North London

North London’s fiercest rivalry has spilled off the pitch and into the transfer market. Arsenal have agreed a £67.5 million deal to sign Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, snatching him from under Tottenham Hotspur’s nose in one of the most dramatic transfer hijacks of the summer.

The Gunners will pay £60m upfront, with an additional £7.5m in performance-related add-ons. Personal terms are close to being finalised, with Eze’s medical expected within days.

For Spurs, who believed they had an agreement with both Palace and the player just 24 hours earlier, the twist feels like another painful chapter in their dealings with their north London rivals.

A Boyhood Dream Realised

The 27-year-old Eze’s decision is shaped by more than finances. He grew up an Arsenal supporter and even spent his early teenage years in the club’s academy before being released at 13. For him and his family, the Emirates has always represented unfinished business.

That personal connection may have been decisive. Despite Tottenham’s persistent negotiations, the moment Arsenal reignited their interest reportedly after Kai Havertz’s injury Eze’s preference became clear.

Why Spurs Are Fuming

Spurs fans, already reeling from James Maddison’s season-ending injury, had been desperate for attacking reinforcements. Club bosses pursued Eze aggressively, even considering offering Richarlison in a swap to sweeten the deal.

But their failure to trigger Eze’s release clause before it expired has left supporters furious. Many have turned their frustration towards chairman Daniel Levy, accusing the club of dithering while Arsenal quietly waited to pounce.

On social media, reactions ranged from despair to anger:

• “Only Spurs could lose a player to Arsenal after thinking the deal was done,” one fan wrote.

• Another added: “Same old story. Levy sleeps, Arsenal eats.”

Palace Say Goodbye

For Crystal Palace, the departure of Eze is both inevitable and heartbreaking. He has been their creative heartbeat, scoring spectacular goals and carrying the team in tight games. Manager Oliver Glasner insisted he would still feature in Thursday’s Conference League qualifier against Fredrikstad to bid farewell to supporters.

Under UEFA rules, Eze can still play for Arsenal in the Champions League this season despite appearing in Palace’s qualifier a detail that no doubt made the Gunners’ swoop even more attractive.

What This Means For Arsenal

Eze’s arrival gives Arsenal another injection of flair and attacking depth at a time when their title ambitions are being tested. With Havertz sidelined, Mikel Arteta now has a versatile forward who can glide past defenders, unlock tight spaces, and deliver in big matches.

More than just a signing, though, this feels like a psychological victory. Beating Spurs to one of their top targets is a reminder of where the balance of power currently lies in north London.

A Rivalry Reignited

The Arsenal–Tottenham rivalry is built on decades of bitter contests, but rarely does it play out so directly in the transfer market. For Gunners fans, this coup will taste as sweet as a derby win. For Spurs, it is a harsh reminder of the gap they are still struggling to close.

As one Arsenal supporter posted: “He’s one of us. Welcome home, Eze.”

And just like that, the transfer window has its latest north London flashpoint.

Source:Sky Sports News

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