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Arsenal are attempting to hijack Tottenham's pursuit of Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze after learning Kai Havertz has suffered a potentially serious knee injury, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
On a dramatic day of activity, Spurs were on Wednesday morning increasingly confident of securing a deal worth at least £60 million ($81m) for Eze after holding direct talks with Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish.
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Sources said that Arsenal had, to that point, not followed up their initial interest for two reasons: Firstly, it was in part contingent on Ethan Nwaneri potentially leaving the club -- the teenager has recently signed a new five-year deal -- while the club were prioritising outgoings before pondering a deal for Eze having committed almost £200m on signings in this window.
However, Havertz missed an open training session at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday with sources later confirming the club are waiting on the results of further tests before determining the full extent of the problem.
Eberechi Eze at training with Crystal Palace on Wednesday. = John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images
Early indications would suggest Havertz is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines as Arsenal have opted to re-enter the market and accelerate negotiations with Eze.
Eze was willing to join Spurs but the 27-year-old, who has two years remaining on his current contract, is a boyhood Arsenal fan and was previously thought to be open to joining the Gunners when they originally made their interest known.
Spurs are set to move onto other targets if Eze confirms his preference to join Arsenal but the Gunners are yet to finalise terms with Palace. They have indicated they are willing to rival Tottenham's offer although a final agreement is yet to be reached.