The player has chosen the Gunners.
This summer’s transfer saga surrounding England star Eberechi Eze has captivated fans. Initially, Arsenal expressed interest, but it appeared their North London rivals, Tottenham, were ready to secure his signature by meeting Crystal Palace’s transfer demands. However, at the last moment, Arsenal swooped in, successfully finalizing the deal for the 27-year-old attacking midfielder this Saturday. Eze joins for an initial fee reported to be around €69.3 million, with an additional €10 million in potential bonuses.
“We are delighted to finalize this transfer and welcome Eberechi to Arsenal,” said sporting director Andrea Barta in a club statement. “Eberechi is a dynamic and creative talent with exceptional technical skills—a player who thrives in high-pressure situations. His international experience with England highlights his quality and character. This successful collaboration across the club has been instrumental in making this transfer possible, and we believe Eberechi will play a key role in our continued pursuit of success.” While talks had been ongoing between Palace chairman Steve Parish and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, Arsenal maintained their interest. Although Tottenham had already agreed to terms with Palace and the player, they will now need to explore alternative targets, as Eze has chosen the Emirates as his new destination. Over the past year, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester City had all expressed interest in Eze.
Following Crystal Palace’s FA Cup victory in May, Eze stated, “I want to win everything. My goal is to achieve every accolade possible.” While Palace’s triumph was significant—being the only major trophy in their history—Eze may need to move on from the south London club to pursue a career filled with accolades. Why is the Palace midfielder so sought-after by top clubs, and what will he bring to Arsenal?
Why Eberechi Eze is Highly Coveted
Since his transfer to Selhurst Park from QPR in 2020 for €17.8 million, Eze has emerged as one of the Premier League’s premier attacking midfielders. Although injuries have occasionally slowed his progress, when healthy, his ability to navigate past defenders and contribute both goals and assists in crucial moments is unmatched by many in his position. Since joining Palace, only six midfielders have recorded more Premier League goal contributions than Eze’s impressive tally of 57. Notably, all those ahead of him have played more matches than his 146, with exceptions for Kevin De Bruyne (133) and Cole Palmer (89), and have mostly been part of teams with higher goal tallies and league standings.
Last season marked Eze’s most prolific year in the Premier League, where he registered 16 goal contributions in 34 appearances. He has demonstrated his capacity to perform in high-stakes games, scoring the decisive goal for Palace in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, as well as finding the net against Spurs, Arsenal, and Liverpool over the last two seasons. At 27, Eze is a player who excites fans and possesses a unique ability to exploit tight spaces. So, how will he fit into Arsenal’s current lineup?
What Eberechi Eze Can Bring to Arsenal
Arsenal has been active in the transfer market, adding talents such as Martín Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Valencia defender Christhian Mosquera, winger Noni Madueke, striker Viktor Gyökeres, and now Eze. Given these acquisitions and the existing talent within the squad, where could Eze slot in? His versatility will likely be pivotal. Eze can comfortably play as a left winger, central midfielder (no. 8 or no. 10), and can also provide backup for Bukayo Saka on the right wing. Throughout his career, he has amassed over 20 appearances in each of the following positions: left winger, attacking midfielder, central midfielder, and left midfielder. Eze may very well be the depth Arsenal needs to clinch a trophy.
