LONDON — Arsenal have won the race to sign Eberechi Eze, agreeing a deal with Crystal Palace worth more than £60 million after fending off competition from Tottenham Hotspur.
The England international has verbally agreed to join the Gunners, with his medical scheduled for Friday following Palace’s European fixture on Thursday night.
Eze, 27, had long been a target for both north London clubs. Spurs were confident earlier this week that they had an agreement with Palace and the player. But Arsenal’s late push proved decisive, convincing Eze to choose the Emirates over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The forward’s release clause, valued at £60 million plus £8 million in add-ons, expired before the season began. Arsenal and Palace have instead negotiated a fresh package, which insiders say surpasses that figure.
Arsenal’s interest in Eze is not new. The player came through their academy as a youngster and has spoken openly about supporting the club growing up. That personal connection is understood to have played a role in his decision.
Oliver Glasner, Palace’s manager, attempted to strike a calm tone amid the speculation earlier this week. “Ebs is committed to the team,” he told reporters. “He’s always given 100 per cent since he signed, and that’s what we expect until the last day he is here.”
For Tottenham, the setback is significant. They had turned to Eze after losing James Maddison to a serious knee injury and missing out on Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. At one stage, Spurs considered offering Richarlison as part of a deal to make room for further signings.
Palace are now expected to step up their search for replacements, with Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss and Club Bruges’ Christos Tzolis among the players under consideration.
For Arsenal, the arrival of Eze adds a fresh layer of creativity and attacking depth as Mikel Arteta’s side look to build on last season’s strong campaign.
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