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In one of the most dramatic transfer stories of the summer, Arsenal have clinched the signing of Eberechi Eze just as Tottenham Hotspur finally put an acceptable offer on the table for Crystal Palace. For Spurs, the timing couldn’t have been crueller—what they thought was progress in negotiations with Palace chairman Steve Parish ended with their north London rivals moving decisively and taking the prize.

The move is being billed as one of the great transfer hijackings, but in truth, Arsenal had been ahead of Tottenham long before Levy and company knew it.

Arsenal’s Secret Agreement

Behind the scenes, the Gunners actually secured the principles of a deal as early as Sunday, 10 August, but managed to keep it quiet for more than a week. Publicly, Arsenal had signaled they needed to sell before buying, and their priority was said to be a left winger. Even sources close to the club downplayed their interest in Eze, creating mixed messages that bought them time.

During those nine days, it even looked to many—including Eze himself—that the move to Arsenal would collapse. The forward had grown fond of the idea of joining Spurs and reportedly told Parish he was eager to get the deal done. Deep down, however, his dream remained a move to Arsenal.

Spurs’ Negotiation Struggles

For Tottenham, the battle was plagued by setbacks long before Arsenal’s intervention. Talks with Palace frequently stalled, with disputes over add-ons and payment structures. What looked like progress one day would unravel the next. At one stage, discussions nearly collapsed entirely, only to be resurrected again days later.

Spurs believed they were close to agreeing terms, but there is a sense within the game that Palace may have been stalling, keeping the door open for Arsenal to return with an improved offer.

Havertz Injury Accelerates Arsenal’s Push

The tipping point came last Wednesday. Arsenal moved quickly, in part due to Kai Havertz’s knee injury. While the German’s absence isn’t expected to last longer than three months, it was enough to push Arsenal’s transfer hierarchy into action—they were determined not to miss out this time.

Arsenal executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis enjoys a smoother working relationship with Parish than Daniel Levy does, and their regular communication helped grease the wheels once Arsenal made their move. Add to that the fact Arsenal could offer Palace players they actually needed—like Jakub Kiwior, with Palace still desperate for a left-sided centre-half—and the Gunners suddenly had every advantage.

The Numbers Behind the Deal

Arsenal’s final offer blew Spurs out of the water. Their previous arrangement with Palace had been £50m plus £10m in add-ons, but to seal it and fend off Tottenham, they agreed to £60m plus £7.5m in add-ons, virtually matching Eze’s release clause before it expired this Thursday.

That figure was understood to be comfortably stronger than Spurs’ proposal, allowing Parish to secure the best outcome for his club. For Crystal Palace, losing Eze was inevitable, but Parish extracted maximum value from one of the club’s greatest ever players. His heroics in winning their first major trophy, the FA Cup, ensure his legend status at Selhurst Park.

There’s even a bonus for Queens Park Rangers—Eze’s former club will receive 15% of the fee, a windfall that could transform their own business in the weeks ahead.

Arsenal Get Their Game-Changer

For Eze, the choice was emotional as well as professional. In May, when celebrating the FA Cup win on Instagram, one of the final images he posted was of Arsenal legend Ian Wright—a nod to a long-held connection. Arsenal don’t just offer him his dream move, they also give him the opportunity to challenge consistently for top trophies.

It’s still uncertain whether Eze will feature in Palace’s Europa Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad, in what could either be a European send-off or the perfect farewell performance.

Fallout in North London

While Arsenal celebrate landing a player many describe as a potential “missing piece” in their title bid, Daniel Levy faces growing frustration. Spurs have now missed out late on two major targets this window, including Morgan Gibbs-White, and supporters are once again restless. Protests against Levy’s leadership are expected to intensify.

For Arsenal, though, this feels like a seismic move. With Liverpool and Manchester City strengthening significantly, the Gunners have responded with arguably the deal of the summer—a signing that could shape their season and tilt the north London rivalry further in their favour.