Eberechi Eze has seemingly snubbed Tottenham Hotspur in favour of a move to bitter rivals Arsenal - leaving Spurs on an unenviable Premier League list
15:05, 21 Aug 2025
Eberechi Eze (centre) looks to have joined Cody Gakpo (left) and Roy Keane (right) as one of the biggest Premier League transfer hijacks
Eberechi Eze (centre) looks to have joined Cody Gakpo (left) and Roy Keane (right) as one of the biggest Premier League transfer hijacks
There might be a few stunned faces at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today - and it's not for the first time.
Eberechi Eze was almost signed, sealed and delivered - the FA Cup winning hero seemingly waving goodbye to Crystal Palace as he was subbed off just past the hour mark in the Eagles' Premier League opening day draw against Chelsea last weekend. All roads were leading to North London for the attacking midfielder.
It was almost the perfect ending to the summer for Spurs, after winning a European trophy before their hated neighbours Arsenal and going on to poach a long-term target from right under the nose of the Gunners. However, there has been an 11th hour change of destination for Eze, with Arsenal swooping back in and the winger now heading to the Emirates - sparking a meltdown among the Tottenham faithful.
The last minute U-turn has seen Spurs once again feature on an unenviable list of transfer hijack humiliations...
Willian - Anzi Makhachkala to Chelsea
Willian
Willian snubbed Spurs for Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
It's not the first time Spurs have been left feeling like they've been stood up on a date.
Back in 2013, Spurs had seemingly wrapped up a deal to bring Brazilian winger Willian to the Premier League from Russian side Anzi Makhachkala. He had even completed his medical for Spurs and they had "purchased his flight".
However, one phone call from Chelsea to his agent shook things up, and Willian headed over to Stamford Bridge to snub Tottenham and join their rivals instead, where he would go on to twice lift the Premier League trophy.
Cody Gakpo - PSV to Liverpool
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo is challenged by Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025
Cody Gakpo turned down Leeds and Man Utd before he moved to Liverpool(Image: AP)
Cody Gakpo had two transfers hijacked in quick succession. On Deadline Day in the summer of 2022, Leeds United had jetted to the Netherlands to pick up the winger and bring him back to West Yorkshire.
However, a phone call from Louis van Gaal put a halt to the move, and after a stellar World Cup showing, Gakpo was again at the centre of transfer rumours come January.
Erik ten Hag had a good relationship with his countryman and Manchester United seemed like his destination - that was until Liverpool came steaming in during the 11th hour and signed him in January 2023.
Gakpo would go on to score a brace in Liverpool's unforgettable 7-0 demolition of the Red Devils just two months later - the heaviest defeat in United's history - before playing a key role in helping the Merseyside giants win the Premier League last season, equalling their bitter rivals' record of 20 top flight titles in the process. Ouch.
Roy Keane - Nottingham Forest to Man Utd
Roy Keane
Roy Keane almost moved to Blackburn Rovers
How different would Premier League football look if Blackburn Rovers had got this deal over the line?
Keane was all ready to move to Ewood Park, even shaking hands on a deal with then Rovers boss Kenny Dalglish, but problems with the paperwork meant the move was delayed over the weekend. And upon discovering there was a small window of opportunity, Sir Alex Ferguson saw his chance.
One phone call later and the midfielder quickly joined United on the Saturday - leaving Dalglish fuming. And while Rovers did win the Premier League - once - Keane managed that feat seven times at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Juventus to Man Utd
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo was days away from moving to Manchester City(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo's triumphant homecoming to Manchester was almost the ultimate heel-turn (wrestling-lingo for when good guys go bad).
Red Devils icon Ronaldo was on the move after an underwhelming stint in Turin, when Pep Guardiola's Manchester City came calling. However, like Keane, it took one phone call from Sir Alex to put brakes on the move.
A couple of days later, Ronaldo was in red once again playing for Erik ten Hag. Although it wasn't quite as successful as his first spell at Old Trafford...
Robinho - Real Madrid to Man City
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed negotiations have begun with Santos and Sao Paulo over a Robinho loan deal.
Robinho didn't even know he'd moved to Manchester City(Image: PA)
Robinho's transfer hijacking from Real Madrid was so last minute, and so left field, even the Brazilian didn't quite know where he was going.
Newly-minted City were keen to flex their financial muscles and, despite Robinho agreeing terms with Chelsea, City launched their offence to pick the pocket of their billionaire rivals.
"On the last day, Chelsea made a great proposal and I accepted." To which a reporter replied to Robinho: "You mean Manchester?" - "Yeah, Manchester, sorry!"
His time in Manchester was just as forgettable.
Emmanuel Petit - Monaco to Arsenal
Emmanuel Petit
Emmanuel Petit snubbed Spurs(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Oh Tottenham, how many times will you make this list.
This one hurt, a lot. Emmanuel Petit was a star in his native France and Spurs launched an ambitious ploy for his signature - but he was also contacted by Arsenal to hold off agreeing anything.
Arsenal wanted him to speak to Arsene Wenger, who he played for at Monaco. Spurs then Petit a cab to his hotel so he could mull their offer over, but Petit instead gave the driver the address to Wenger’s house.
And what a decision it proved to be, as the midfielder was pivotal to winning the league title at Arsenal.
Luis Diaz - Porto to Liverpool
Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz also turned down Spurs(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Tottenham, again.
Luis Diaz had impressed on the European stage with Porto - and Spurs made a move for the new-found star. However, as Daniel Levy dragged his heels during the negotiations, Liverpool swooped and made their move.
He went on to play 141 games for the Reds, becoming a firm fan favourite and playing a key role in winning a Premier League title, FA Cup and two League Cups, before joining Bayern Munich this summer.
Mykhaylo Mudryk - Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea
Mykhaylo Mudryk is facing the prospect of a lengthy ban from football
Mykhaylo Mudryk was enticed by Chelsea(Image: GETTY)
Chelsea and Arsenal went head to head for the Ukrainian's signature back in 2023.
Mikel Arteta's side were firm favourites to land Mudryk due to his reported admiration for the club - but that was until Todd Boehly and Chelsea got involved.
Chelsea offered the star biggest wages and completed the deal to stretch their spending further.
Although unlike many other examples in this list, in the long term it was the Blues who were left with egg on their faces, as the £89m man has been one of the biggest flops in football history at Stamford Bridge.
John Obi Mikel - Lyon to Chelsea
John Obi Mikel
John Obi Mikel agreed to join Man Utd before joining Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
United were left so incensed at John Obi Mikel's move to Chelsea they accused the Blues of hijacking the player.
Upon turning 18, United announced they had agreed to sign the midfielder in April 2005 for a January 2006 arrival. However, he still agreed terms with Chelsea.
They eventually agreed to pay a fee to both the other clubs involved and registered Mikel as their player.
Not that the Nigerian star has any regrets - he won the lot at Chelsea and is still loved by their fans today.
Aaron Ramsey - Cardiff to Arsenal
Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal celebrates with the trophy after The Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England.
Aaron Ramsey could have played for Man Utd(Image: Getty Images)
Aaron Ramsey is something of a cult hero at the Gunners, racking up more than 369 appearances during his time in north London.
However, during his time at Cardiff, the then 17-year-old was hot property. United launched a move and even publicly announced that they had reached an agreement with Cardiff.
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But that didn't ward Arsenal off and Wenger met Ramsey personally, convincing him to join the Gunners instead, where he would lift the FA Cup three times.