Eberechi Eze to Arsenal transfer announcement timeline emerges after stunning Tottenham hijack

Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

Tottenham had stepped up talks with Palace for Eze on Wednesday, football.london understands, with Thomas Frank's side keen to bring in a new No.10 and push a deal to its conclusion.

However, the Gunners have since made a late swoop to hijack Tottenham's proposed move for the England international after news of Kai Havertz's injury blow emerged.

Havertz appeared to pick up a knee issue during Sunday's 1-0 win at Manchester United and is now facing a spell on the sidelines. Assessments are at an early stage and the timeline on how long he will be out is unclear.

Arsenal have held a long-term interest in Eze and now the Gunners are expected to get their man. According to The Athletic, an agreement has been reached in principle for Eze to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium.

The deal is worth in the region of the expired £68 million release clause in Eze's contract, matching the level of fee Tottenham were prepared to pay and the player has agreed personal terms.

Eze, 27, is expected to play for Palace against Fredrikstad in the Conference League play-off on Thursday before undergoing a medical with Arsenal with an announcement then due. Indeed, should the transfer get rubberstamped by Friday at 12pm, Eze could feature for the Gunners when they host Leeds United on Saturday evening.

If Eze doesn't feature against Leeds this weekend, his likely debut will be at Anfield, as the Gunners travel to Liverpool for a blockbuster Premier League affair on Sunday, August 31.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and vice-chairman Tim Lewis led the process of getting a deal agreed for Eze, who is set to become the club's seventh signing of the summer transfer window.

The ex-QPR man is anticipated to follow goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, defender Cristhian Mosquera, midfield duo Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, winger Noni Madueke and striker Viktor Gyokeres to north London.

Although Eze had thought to have given the green light on a move to Tottenham, he made it his preference to sign for Arsenal - a club he supported as a child and played for when he was part of the academy.

Eze joined Palace from QPR for £17m in 2020 and has made 169 appearances for the Selhurst Park club, scoring 40 times and providing 28 assists. Last season, he helped the Eagles win a major piece of silverware for the first time in their history, netting the winner as they beat Manchester City to lift the FA Cup.

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