Five players Tottenham can sign instead of Eberechi Eze – including their own hijack bid

Tottenham fans’ worst fears have been realised after Arsenal hijacked their transfer to sign number one target Eberechi Eze.

Spurs thought they had all-but secured the services of the Crystal Palace star in a deal worth in the region of £60million.

Eze was Thomas Frank’s primary target following the injury picked up by attacking midfielder James Maddison, who is expected to miss the majority of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

But Spurs have now been forced to accept defeat after bitter rivals Arsenal swooped in to snatch the 27-year-old away from their clutches – with talkSPORT co-host Jamie O’Hara leading the fan fury.

talkSPORT understands the Gunners accelerated a move to bring the England international to the red half of north London following Kai Havertz’s knee knock.

Arsenal have struck an agreement worth £60m plus add-ons for Eze, who has jumped at the chance to return to his boyhood club following his release at Hale End aged 13.

While Gooners across the globe are rejoicing, it’s a similar feeling for the Spurs faithful who know all too well of the feeling of a late hijack and deals falling through at the 11th hour.

What players have Tottenham missed out on?

It’s not the first time that Arsenal have beaten Tottenham to a player with Spurs famously paying the taxi fare that saw Emmanuel Petit join the Gunners.

High-profile deals meanwhile for Willian and Luis Diaz were hijacked by Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, while they have also missed out on Sadio Mane and Paulo Dybala in the last decade.

And just this summer, they have been dealt blows in their quest to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest and winger Savinho from Manchester City.

Eze has now become the latest player to add to Spurs’ woes, with the club to now turn their attention in trying to bring in an alternative with less than two weeks left in the window.

Here talkSPORT.com takes a look at five possible options Spurs could now look at in a last-ditch attempt to add much-needed creativity.

Bilal El Khannouss – Leicester

Spurs could look to deal Palace a double blow in the Eagles’ search to find a replacement for outgoing club legend Eze.

talkSPORT reported on Wednesday how Oliver Glasner’s side are closing in on a £30m deal to bring in El Khannouss from the King Power Stadium.

But Tottenham may decide that the Morocco international is a good fit for their system, with the 21-year-old starring against them last season.

The youngster completed the Foxes’ turnaround away at Spurs by curling in a stunning winner in the 2-1 comeback victory.

It remains to be seen whether El Khannouss would choose Tottenham over Palace if they were to make a move.

But with Champions League football on offer at Spurs, they may feel they could have the edge over their London rivals to complete a hijack of their own.

Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa

If Spurs want to make a statement signing to make it up to fans for failing to get Eze over the line, Rogers would be the perfect player to immediately lift the mood.

The 23-year-old was recently crowned as the PFA Young Player of the Year following a dazzling 2024/25 campaign.

Rogers chipped in with 14 goals and 16 assists in 54 games in all competitions, with his form seeing him make his Three Lions debut in November 2024.

Just like Eze, Rogers can play either as a No.10 or on the left wing, with the Manchester City academy graduate a player that Spurs greatly admire.

However, despite reports suggesting that the Villans would command a fee in excess of £80m, talkSPORT understands he may be seen as an unrealistic target.

That is because the Midlands outfit are adamant they won’t part ways with him.

Tyler Dibling – Southampton

There is a chance that Tottenham could rekindle their long-standing interest in the Southampton starlet.

talkSPORT reported at the start of the year how the 19-year-old was on their radar following an impressive start to his Premier League career.

Dibling has been heavily tipped to depart St Mary’s this summer after the Saints were unable to beat the drop back into the Championship.

But should Spurs decide to formalise their interest in the teenager, they would face competition from Everton in the race to snap him up.

The Toffees have had two bids rejected for Dibling – the latest being in the region of £40m as Southampton hold firm in their £50m valuation.

And while Everton may have brought in Jack Grealish on loan from City, they remain at the table for the player.

Maghnes Akliouche – Monaco

The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the top talents in Ligue 1 following his breakthrough in the 2021/22 season.

A member of France’s Olympic squad that secured a silver medal last year, the 2024/25 term proved to be Akliouche’s most productive campaign of his career to date.

Akliouche chipped in with seven goals and 12 assists from his 43 outings as he helped Monaco finish third in the table.

Capable of playing in the middle of the pitch or on the right wing, Akliouche is reportedly an option for Spurs.

Though they could be gazumped by Bayer Leverkusen, who are believed to be eyeing up a move for the player.

Xavi Simons – RB Leipzig

It’s no secret that the Dutchman is keen on heading out the door this summer – just seven months after Leipzig turned his loan stay from Paris Saint-Germain into a permanent deal.

The German giants are holding out for a deal close to £60million for the 22-year-old.

talkSPORT reported earlier this month how Chelsea had opened talks to sign Simons, who has agreed personal terms over a switch to Stamford Bridge.

But the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement regarding the player – giving hope to his potential suitors that they could steal a march on the Blues.

And talkSPORT correspondent Ben Jacobs has revealed that Simons in on Spurs’ radar – though they look set to come up short in their efforts to nab him.

He said on the White and Jordan show: “I think Tottenham like the idea of Xavi Simons, but he’s got his heart set on Chelsea.

“That would be a No. 10 option and a versatile player as well.”