Many fans of **Arsenal**are reading words that topped their expectations for this transfer window.
*“We are pleased to have completed this deal to bring Eberechi to Arsenal.”*
Fourteen years on, Eberechi Eze is back in North London, wearing the red and white kit of the club.
The attacker has agreed on a four-year deal to sign with the Gunners, signing for a fee in the region of his reported clause. **Arsenal**will pay an initial fee of £60 million and an extra £8 million in add-ons.
The number ten was a top target with Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace this summer, and the club captain, who will be a free agent once his contract expires in 2026, appeared most likely to leave.
However, Eze emerged in the news as the man whom Tottenham Hotspur had on their radar. He would have been an ideal replacement for James Maddison to play from the left or in the pockets.
Their **North London**rivals revealed their hand, and from there, only one option was on the table.
‘A creative and explosive talent’
Sporting director Andrea Berta has been responsible for bringing in new players this summer. He spoke about the strengths of the 27-year-old and why he will be a big addition to the offensive roster.
“Eberechi is a creative and explosive talent with huge technical quality, also a big-game player, with experience at international level with England also underlining his quality and character.”
It has been a big summer of activity for the team. By the end of July, six signings had already arrived through the door: two of them were attackers. Noni Madueke moved from **Chelsea**as a backup right winger capable of featuring on the left, and Viktor Gyökeres from **Sporting**is the new number nine.
However, panic had started to grip the fanbase over the last week. A knee injury for **Kai Havertz**in the 1-0 win at Old Trafford, followed by a wage bump for Leandro Trossard, threatened to dampen the mood. No new tailor-made winger for the left had arrived, and a key forward was now missing.
Little did any of us know what Berta and the rest of the board had concocted behind the scenes.
"There has been excellent teamwork across the club to make this transfer happen and we are very confident Eberechi will be an important addition to our squad as we continue to build for success.”
‘We love how much it means to him’
Mikel Arteta is the man who must bring the pieces together to get over the line. He has already identified Martin Odegaard as a centrepiece of the plans, thanks to his work rate, technical security, and ability to produce moments off the cuff within a clear playbook the boss has implemented.
Eze is a different proposition, having flourished with the freedom to do what he pleases in the central areas of the pitch as a more powerful ball carrier. Arteta explained which of his traits stand out to him.
“We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal. He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension in our attacking game with his talent and intelligence as a player.”
The Spaniard spoke about something else that makes the 27-year-old such an appealing acquisition.
“What stands out just as much is the way he has worked hard through his career to get where he is.”
The **Arsenal**academy turned away Eze when he was 13, and three years later, **Millwall**released him from their plans. He had to put in the work with a loan in League Two at Wycombe Wanderers before he started to set his sights on the top of the English game through his work at QPR.
A snapped Achilles tendon snatched away half a year of action from him at Crystal Palace, but he has persevered. This transfer means a lot to Eze and his kin, who are rooting for him to finish the fairytale.
"His journey, mentality, and ambition are what we want in our team, and we love how much it means to him and his family to be joining our club. We look forward to start working with Eberechi soon.”