Arsenal set to hijack Tottenham’s move for $125m star in shock transfer twist

Arsenal are set to hijack Tottenham’s move to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, according to The Athletic.

The Gunners are willing to pay £60 million (A$125.5m) for the attacking midfielder, who can also play on a wing, with multiple reports saying the two clubs have agreed to terms.

A knee injury sidelining Kai Havertz prompted Arsenal’s attempt to lure Eze, who is contracted until 2027, out of the grasp of their north London rivals and to the Emirates.

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Eze is a boyhood Arsenal fan, and spent time in the Gunners’ youth academy, and reports suggest Arsenal is the 27-year-old’s England international’s preferred destination.

The latest development comes after Tottenham chair Daniel Levy reportedly had an agreement with Palace and Eze for a move, but nothing had been formalised.

Spurs see Eze has a replacement for the injured James Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury in pre-season.

After an excellent season that included playing a key role in Palace winning the FA Cup, the club’s first ever major trophy, Eze has been linked with a move to cash in on his worth as well as fulfil his desire to play Champions League football.

Before any deal is made official, Eze and Palace captain Marc Guehi, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool, will start in the club’s Conference League playoff first leg at home to Fredrikstad on Friday morning AEST.

The pair started in Palace’s opening goalless draw at Chelsea to kick off their Premier League campaign, and Eagles manager Oliver Glasner insists “they are committed” despite the transfer rumours.

“It’s always the right of a club and the duty of a player to give 100 per cent as long as he is under contract,” Glasner said.

“Before Chelsea, I think many of you were surprised that Marc and Ebs started and played almost the whole game.

“Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours. But again, they are committed.

“They are committed to the team, they have a contract here, they played a crucial part that we could be so successful, and they will play a crucial part as long as they are here.

“Because they are good, they are committed to the team, and when one of the players leave, which I don’t know at the moment, then they want to leave as players who always gave 100 per cent for Crystal Palace.

“This is what they did since they signed, and this is what we expect from them until the end of their contract, whenever this is.

“This noise, these rumours, it’s not just for three days, it’s been written for weeks.

“They played the Community Shield and we won, and they played at Chelsea, and we drew, and they will play against Fredrikstad, and then let’s see.”

Palace were due to take part in the Europa League this season off the back of their FA Cup success, but were demoted to the Conference League as a result of multi-ownership rules.

Playing in the Conference League playoff will not restrict Eze from featuring in the Champions League if he completes a move.

If he joins Arsenal, Eze will be the third attacking weapon Mikel Arteta has added to his side this transfer window, following the acquisitions of Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres as the Gunners try to go one better in the league after three straight runner-up finishes.

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