Tottenham are reportedly set to beat Arsenal in the race to sign Eberechi Eze, with the attacker understood to have accepted a move to the Lilywhites.
For several weeks, Eze had been considered the final addition that Arsenal might make before the close of the transfer window. Despite this, the Gunners have yet to act, leaving the door open for their north London rivals to press forward with negotiations.
The player has a release clause with a payment structure already well known across the Premier League, but Arsenal have so far focused on strengthening other areas of their squad. Their recent signings have bolstered the team significantly, yet speculation linking them with Eze had grown stronger in recent weeks.
Tottenham Step Ahead
With just a couple of weeks remaining before the transfer deadline, Arsenal have still not made a formal move for the attacker. This hesitation could prove costly, as Tottenham are now pushing ahead with its own plans to secure his signature. A report on ESPN suggests that the move could be finalised within days, giving Spurs a decisive advantage in the pursuit of the Crystal Palace star.
What It Means for Arsenal
While Eze is undoubtedly a superb talent, Arsenal face their own challenges in the transfer market. The squad currently includes several players deemed surplus to requirements, and the club must focus on sales before pursuing further signings. This reality has slowed down their ability to compete for the player, potentially leaving Spurs free to complete the deal.
Losing out on Eze would certainly be a blow for the Gunners, particularly given the expectation that he would have strengthened their attacking options. However, his signing by Tottenham does not necessarily guarantee them a stronger campaign than Arsenal. The Gunners remain focused on their objectives, building a squad capable of competing for the league title while ensuring that any further additions fit within their broader strategy.
As the transfer window draws to a close, the north London rivals remain locked in a contest both on and off the pitch, with Eze’s future providing another layer of intrigue to an already fierce rivalry.
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City have a hoard of creative midfielders, we only have Odegaard who is coming off a poor season, and Nwaneri who Mikel underutilizes. if we are not getting Eze, fine. But to end the window with no new LW is asking for another trophy less season. We need more firepower.
In agreement with the previous comment, we’ve had a great transfer window but we really need both additional creative flair and genuine competition for/something different to Martinelli. Eze delivers on both of these fronts, has PL experience, is in his prime and is versatile enough to play in a number of positions – plus grew up a Gooner. It makes so much sense.
If we have a better alternative (not Rodrygo, too expensive, no guarantees and seems to favour Liverpool/City) lined up then I hope it works out, though from here its going to be tough seeing Spurs strengthen with an undeniably top-tier player.
Good talk RSH and Merson. I hope the club do the needful
They are above us because err………we are not in for him!
O.K. so the frustration of not getting Eze is starting to officially set in. Spuds with Frank and now Eze is not a very comforting thought. Even Richarlison has apparently started to play more than pout.
Signing EZE or not signing EZE might IMO be the difference between winning the PL. for Arsenal. Arsenal have had the chance for a very long time to get this one over the line. Payment in 3 installments. Resonable terms. IMO. If Arsenal believe, that Nwaneri can be just as good as Eze, then I am afraid, Arsenal are making a big mistake. Nwaneri is a very skilful player, but he does no way reach the high level, that Eze has proven.
Eze is a class player. I am actually very angry at the Arsenal transfer staf, that they let this chance pass. But perhaps Arsenal go for other class players like Rafael Leao or Lee Kang-in. I do hope this, that Arsenal are signing one more attacking player. Squad depth is important in a very long and demanding season.
I believe not signing him may very well have already cost us the ’23/’24 title and perhaps even ’22/’23.
There 2 factors in this decision(no to go for Eze).
1) to give the chance to our young Nwanery to stablish as a real cover for Odegaard. Good one.
2) economics; we have been no able to sell players so there is a problem. Bad one.
Who knows? He was pretty well nailed on to join Arsenal for weeks according to consistent reports in the media, but here we are.
If Arsenal really did/do want him then I’m sure that they haven’t “left the door open” for Sp*rs on purpose. That wouldn’t be a very clever, or ultimately successful, tactic.
I suspect, as has been mentioned, that finance is probably a big factor if Eze really remains the top target. Arsenal haven’t sold anyone (apart from Tavares for a tiny fee) this summer, although reports suggest a deal for Zinchenko may be “close” (hopefully, though, not close in the same was as it’s been for Eze). Without sales, it’s likely to be more difficult, at least, to buy yet another expensive player.
Look at the contrast in the buying/selling so far in the window to, say, Liverpool, another big summer spender. According to the Sports Mole site, they’ve apparently spent about £280m to date, but have recouped around £180m in sales, so a net spend of £100m or so.
On the other hand, Arsenal has spent around £190m but have recouped an insignificant £4m – so a net spend of about £185m – getting on for double Liverpool’s.
Given Arsenal is a smaller club, financially, than Liverpool that difference could be important in any plans for Eze (or an alternative). If so, then sell to buy may be the key.
Our net spend was like approx 15 million in the last 3 windows.
Some believed the war chest was 300 million so your telling me we now can’t afford a net spend of over 200 million ?
You need to go double check how rich we are
No, you’re confusing gross/net spend on transfers with the overall financial position of the club. How “rich” the club is, or isn’t, is not down to whether Arsenal is making money from transfers specifically over the last three windows.
Arsenal had record club revenue in 2023-24 (latest figures available) of over £600m but they still recorded an overall loss that year! Arsenal hasn’t made a profit for the past six seasons. Their debt was around £500m in the last financial statement.
It’s quite possible that any delay, if it is a delay, in buying Eze could be do with the fact that over this summer there is a big imbalance in transfer spending vs income. The fact Arsenal made a £15m surplus in transfers over the last three windows is irrelevant against a deficit of £185m so far in this window.
As to the famous “£300m war chest”, where do you imagine that money comes from, given Arsenal has made a loss for so many years? It can’t be from surpluses. If it exists at that level, it’s a combination of increased revenue in 2024-25 (mainly from the CL run) and money the owners are prepared to loan the club. It’s more likely to be the latter unless Arsenal’s revenue has increased by a world-record shattering 50% (£600m to £900m) over a single season. But nothing above would exclude the owners wanting to recoup money from sales rather than just “spend, spend, spend”.
The best site to get the facts about Arsenal’s finances is probably the Arsenal Supporters Trust as they give an expert analysis and an historical view.
*overall debt was around £500m
Eze just nailed a direct free kick. 0-1 to CP. Darn, seeing that hurt and felt good at the same time as it was against Chelsea.
So much for the feel good part. Poor officiating, imo, strikes again.
Good enough explanation from VAR even though close and I’m not sure I agree with what VAR believes was present but at least, as some on JA have requested, a timely explanation was provided.