Arsenal’s capture of Eberechi Eze was one of the standout moves of the summer and it’s now emerged just how far Andrea Berta and the Gunners were willing to go to make it happen.
According to @gunnerblog, Arsenal had originally set their internal valuation of Eze at around £50m. That figure was consistent with the data-led approach the club has taken in recent years under Edu and now Berta, where strict valuations are rarely broken.
However, football often forces flexibility. With Kai Havertz sidelined through injury and Tottenham Hotspur closing in on a deal of their own, Arsenal changed gears. The club not only matched Palace’s demands but actually went beyond what they had initially planned, sanctioning a £60m fee with a further £7.5m in potential add-ons. In total, the package could reach £67.5m.
🚨On the Eze transfer, Berta and Arsenal were flexible. They had initially hoped to pay in the region of £50million, but with Kai Havertz injured and Spurs on the verge of sealing a deal, Arsenal went as far as £60million with a further £7.5million in potential add-ons.… pic.twitter.com/xnmU1XFrG3
— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) September 2, 2025
Why Arsenal had to act to sign Eze
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The Gunners were staring down two realities: the need for immediate creativity in Havertz’s absence, and the nightmare scenario of seeing Spurs unveil Eze instead. With the player himself keen on a move to the Emirates, Arsenal could not risk hesitation. Berta, known for his sharp negotiating, opted to bend the club’s valuation framework, a rare but calculated move when the squad’s balance demanded it.
It’s a reminder that in elite football, timing dictates value. Arsenal’s flexibility ensured they secured one of the Premier League’s most gifted attackers, while also striking a blow to their fiercest rivals in the market.
Now, the focus turns to how quickly Eze can slot into Mikel Arteta’s system. The England international has already informed the manager that he is ready to start at Anfield this weekend, a sign of his hunger to make an immediate impact in red and white.
Related Items:Andrea Berta, Eberechi Eze
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