Arsenal set to hijack Tottenham’s move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to swoop in for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, threatening to derail Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of the midfielder in what could become one of the most dramatic twists of the summer transfer window.

Tottenham had been in pole position to land the 27-year-old playmaker, with talks believed to be progressing smoothly. However, reports suggest Arsenal are now ready to hijack the deal, with manager Mikel Arteta keen on strengthening his attacking options following fresh concerns over Kai Havertz’s knee injury.

Eze, who was once part of Arsenal’s academy before being released as a teenager, has since risen to prominence as one of the Premier League’s most skillful and creative midfielders.

The Athletic said Arsenal had reached agreement in principle with Palace to sign Eze, with the deal worth in the region of the expired £68 million ($91 million) release clause, matching the level of fee Spurs were prepared to pay.

Arsenal’s interest increased after Havertz suffered an injury setback.

The Germany international came on in the second half of Sunday’s victory over Manchester United and completed the game but was absent from Arsenal’s open training at the Emirates on Wednesday.

Arsenal finished runners-up to Premier League champions Liverpool last season and are expected to challenge for the title again whereas Spurs, who won the Europa League final, ended the campaign in a lowly 17th place one spot above the relegation zone.

Eze played 84 minutes of the weekend draw at Chelsea and trained on Wednesday ahead of Palace’s Conference League play-off at home to Fredrikstad, with coach Oliver Glasner insisting he and Eagles captain Marc Guehi, a target for Liverpool, would both start the European tie.

“Before Chelsea, I think many of you were surprised that Marc and Ebs started and played almost the whole game,” Glasner told a pre-match press conference earlier Wednesday.

“Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours. But again, they are committed.”

Glasner, who also guided Palace to Community Shield glory in a penalty shoot-out win over Liverpool, added: “They are committed to the team, they have a contract here, they played a crucial part that we could be so successful, and they will play a crucial part as long as they are here.

“Because they are good, they are committed to the team, and when one of the players leave, which I don’t know at the moment, then they want to leave as players who always gave 100 percent for Crystal Palace.

“This is what they did since they signed, and this is what we expect from them until the end of their contract, whenever this is.”

Palace captain Guehi is under contract until next year, while Eze’s deal expires in 2027.

“This noise, these rumours, it’s not just for three days, it’s been written for weeks,” said Glasner.