Arsenal have completed the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £67.5m. The move was confirmed ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Leeds United.
The Gunners will pay Palace £60m up front, with a further £7.5m in add-ons. The transfer takes Arsenal’s summer spending to £267m.
Eze has signed a four-year contract, with the option of a fifth year, and will wear the famous No.10 shirt at the Emirates Stadium. The number has previously been worn by Arsenal legends such as Dennis Bergkamp and Mesut Ozil, as well as academy products Jack Wilshere and Emile Smith Rowe.
Tottenham Hotspur had been close to signing the 26-year-old after talks with Palace earlier this week. However, Arsenal stepped in late to hijack the deal following Kai Havertz’s injury. The club had been monitoring Eze since June and moved quickly once the opportunity arose.
Arsenal see Eze as a versatile player who can feature on the left, in midfield or on the right. Spurs, meanwhile, had considered offering Richarlison in part of their bid for the England international.
Eze, who was once part of Arsenal’s academy, has previously admitted he supported the club as a boy. That connection is believed to have played a role in his decision to join Mikel Arteta’s side.
The midfielder becomes one of the headline signings of the summer, with Arsenal beating their north London rivals to his signature in dramatic fashion.