Eberechi Eze
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Arsenal’s sensational capture of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace has been hailed as one of the boldest transfer hijacks in recent Premier League history, after the Gunners dramatically outmaneuvered rivals Tottenham Hotspur to seal a £60 million deal.
The move, finalised on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, includes up to £10 million in add-ons and came just days after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester United. With urgency added to their plans, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta moved quickly to secure the 27-year-old England international.
According to Arsenal insider account HandofArsenal, the deal was the product of months of preparation, built on strategic relationships and decisive action. Executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis played a crucial role, leaning on his strong personal ties with Palace chairman Steve Parish. Their long-standing rapport is believed to have influenced the pace of talks, with speculation that Parish delayed Tottenham’s negotiations in the final 48 hours.
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At the same time, Andrea Berta had spent six to eight weeks cultivating a “fantastic relationship” with Eze’s representatives, laying the groundwork for Arsenal’s approach. The final breakthrough reportedly came during an in-person pitch from Arteta and Berta, which convinced Eze, a boyhood Arsenal supporter released from the club’s academy at 13 to choose the Emirates over a move across North London.
🚨Josh Kroenke being in the UK helped massively as Mikel and Andrea delivered an undeniable pitch in person in order to sign Eberechi Eze.
While some at the club raised PSR concerns, Josh stood firmly with Mikel Arteta.
The green light was given and Tim Lewis, Steve Parish and… pic.twitter.com/v032gM5543
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) August 21, 2025
The green light came from co-owner Josh Kroenke, who was in London at the time and backed the move despite concerns over Profitability and Sustainability Rules. Kroenke’s approval allowed Arsenal’s hierarchy to move decisively, with Lewis, Berta and Parish swiftly completing negotiations that left Spurs blindsided after weeks of pursuit.
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Eze becomes Arsenal’s seventh signing of a blockbuster summer that has already seen the club spend over £250 million. Capable of operating as a No. 10 or from the left, he is expected to add creativity and depth to Arteta’s squad as the Gunners chase their first Premier League title in more than two decades.
The transfer has sparked jubilation among Arsenal fans, who see Eze’s arrival as both a statement of intent and a symbolic homecoming for the former academy player. For Tottenham, however, the hijack represents another painful chapter in their North London rivalry.
With Eze’s medical scheduled this week, he could make his debut as early as Saturday’s clash with Leeds United, a prospect that promises to heighten excitement at the Emirates and cement the deal as one of the defining stories of the transfer window.
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