Eberechi Eze has sealed his dream switch to childhood favourites Arsenal in a deal potentially rising to £68million.
Eze marks the Gunners' seventh acquisition of the summer, rocketing their expenditure to £250m. The England international has penned a four-year contract and is set to don the number 10 jersey.
Spurs were on the brink of securing Eze's signature after agreeing terms with Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but Arsenal made a dramatic last-minute intervention to clinch the transfer.
Arsenal's bold move – with an upfront payment of £60m plus performance-related bonuses – to outdo their North London rivals echoes the infamous transfer of former Spurs skipper Sol Campbell to Arsenal on a free in 2001.
The announcement of the 27-year-old's signing came just half an hour before Arsenal's first home match of the Premier League season against Leeds United, with plans for Eze to be introduced to the Emirates faithful pre-match.
"We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal," declared Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. "He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension in our attacking game. What stands out just as much as his talent and intelligence as a player, is the way he has worked hard throughout his career to get where he is today.
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"His journey, his mentality, and his ambition are exactly what we want in our team, and we love how much it means to him and his family to be joining our club. We all look forward to start working with Eberechi soon."
One of Eze's last contributions for Palace was netting the decisive goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City in May, securing the club's first major trophy.
A move away this summer seemed likely as the former Arsenal youth player entered the last two years of his contract at Selhurst Park, with Tottenham making the first move earlier this month.
Spurs chose not to trigger the release clause, estimated at around £68m, in Eze's contract with Palace, which expired on the opening day of the Premier League season. After negotiations stalled that weekend, the 27 year old played in the 0-0 draw at Chelsea.
However, a knee injury to Kai Havertz prompted action from the Gunners. Given Eze's childhood support for Arsenal, it was an easy decision for the south Londoner once they matched Palace's asking price – leaving Spurs stunned.
Eze underwent his medical at London Colney on Friday and has now joined Viktor Gyokeres (£55m), defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates.
This is a significant show of ambition from Arsenal as they aim to clinch their first Premier League title in 22 years. On Friday, Arteta stated that he now has the best squad of his six-year tenure.
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