From Crystal Palace hero to Arsenal’s newest star, Eberechi Eze has completed a sensational £60 million move to the Emirates — marking one of the most dramatic transfer twists of the summer window.
Arsenal struck late to hijack Tottenham’s chase for the 26-year-old, leaving their North London rivals stunned as Mikel Arteta added one of the league’s most exciting attacking players to his squad.
This blockbuster signing didn’t come cheap. Fuelled by an eye-watering €138 million backing, the deal signals Arsenal’s intent to challenge for glory both in England and on the European stage.
Eze, though, didn’t leave Selhurst Park without class. Before finalising his move, he handed a generous €1.2 million slice of his contract bonus to a former teammate — a gesture that’s earned him huge respect off the pitch.
With Arsenal fans buzzing and Spurs still reeling, attention now turns to Eze as he looks to make an immediate impact at the Emirates.
Arsenal have sealed the signing of Eberechi Eze in a £67.5 million deal, with the former Crystal Palace forward putting pen to paper on a four-year contract and taking the iconic No.10 shirt at the Emirates. He will be officially unveiled to fans ahead of the Gunners’ 5:30pm kick-off against Leeds United.
The move marks a sensational turnaround in the transfer saga. As recently as Wednesday, Tottenham had agreed terms with both Palace and the 27-year-old, with Eze eager to complete a switch to Spurs. But in dramatic fashion, Arsenal hijacked the deal just hours later, capitalising on uncertainty surrounding Kai Havertz, who had missed training with a knee injury.
Daily Mail Sport reports that concerns over Havertz’s recovery played a role in pushing Arsenal to finalise the transfer, which becomes their seventh signing of the summer and takes their overall spend close to £250 million. Eze’s contract also includes the option of an additional year.
In a heartfelt farewell message, Eze thanked Palace for five unforgettable years, recalling his journey from joining from QPR to battling through injury setbacks and enjoying historic moments such as their Wembley triumph. He described Palace as a “family club” and expressed deep gratitude to fans, teammates, and staff for their support, signing off with: “Up the Palace. God Bless, Ebz.”
Spurs, meanwhile, are left reeling. Palace had insisted Eze be available for their Europa Conference League qualifier against Fredrikstad, but on the morning of the game, the winger called in sick and did not feature. Manager Oliver Glasner admitted he had expected Eze to play but confirmed afterwards: “Ebs will not play for us anymore… it’s gone.”
Even so, Palace fans paid tribute, holding banners thanking their talisman and declaring him a club legend as they watched their side secure a 1-0 victory, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring their first-ever European goal.
Arsenal’s late swoop was finalised after Eze met with sporting director Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta last month, a meeting that convinced him of the Gunners’ project. Spurs had been desperate to land him after James Maddison’s season-ending injury and even floated including Richarlison in a potential deal. But with Palace’s replacement search dragging on and Eze’s £60m release clause expiring, Arsenal struck decisively.
Now, Eze becomes the Gunners’ latest marquee signing — and the man tasked with bringing fresh creativity and flair to Arteta’s attack, as the battle for North London dominance intensifies.
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