An emotionally-charged 24 hours in north London is nearing its climax.
The culmination of huge squad shake-ups for both Tottenham and Arsenal came down to one final opportunity to bolster their attack.
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The opportunity to sign one of the Premier League’s brightest talents was too much to pass up even if there often appeared to be more flirting than commitment.
But as the age-old quote goes: “All too often missed opportunities are in plain sight.”
And that is certainly the case for Tottenham who cruelly saw their move for Eberechi Eze hijacked by their bitter rivals late on Thursday night.
Since the news of Arsenal’s heist broke on talkSPORT on Wednesday evening, the tears, anger and frustration from Tottenham fans has been as loud as the jubilation and bragging from the red half of north London.
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Spurs looked destined to land the FA Cup final hero after agreeing a deal with Crystal Palace this week unopposed – or so it seemed.
As beneath the surface, Arsenal had already planted the seed to try to lure the 27-year-old boyhood Gunners fan to N5.
With Arsenal seemingly looking to stick with their attacking options and Spurs ready to make a move, the Gunners quickly ramped up their efforts to snatch Eze from the jaws of their rivals with little convincing needed.
Like a script from an action movie, the summer-long battle for his signature reached its peak with an unexpected late twist, perfectly broken down in chronological order by talkSPORT’s transfer correspondent Ben Jacobs.
When did Arsenal first register their interest in Eze?
“Arsenal were first to the table in late June. They spoke to the player, they had buy-in but then they didn’t move,” Jacobs explained.
“Ethan Nwaneri signed a new deal but Arsenal put the breaks on thinking maybe Nwaneri would get some minutes in the No.10 role and if they were going to add a player it was going to be a left winger.
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“Yes, Eze can play wide but they saw him as a No.10.”
Eze’s contract contained a clause allowing suitors including Tottenham to trigger his release for £60million plus £8million in add-ons.
However, the clause was set to expire last Friday on the eve of the new Premier League season. After that point, it would be back to the negotiating table for all interested parties.
“Spurs were the ones really pushing and in a one-horse race for much of last week but they didn’t get the deal done before the opening Premier League game of the season,” Jacobs said.
“Eze played therefore against Chelsea in that 0-0 draw and that dilly-dallying or tough negotiation has ended up in hindsight coming back to bite Tottenham.
“As we moved into this week, Spurs reached an agreement in principle. They had a fee very similar to that of what Arsenal are paying of £60million plus add-ons.
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What could have promoted Arsenal to move for Eze this week?
“Kai Havertz picked up a knee injury and Arsenal said ‘we’ve done all of the leg work so let’s move’.
“Eze was therefore faced with a straight choice of Arsenal or Spurs and in that scenario with both having a club-to-club agreement, Eze was always going to pick Arsenal.
“It looks like Daniel Levy was too meticulous but in fairness, Crystal Palace delayed as well because they didn’t want to finalise a deal with any club, allowing the possibility that Eze can play in the UEFA Conference League match on Thursday before now making his move to Arsenal.”
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan chimed in with his own understanding on why Spurs were pipped at the post by their bitter rivals.
“If Crystal Palace weren’t going to allow him to go prior to playing in the UEFA Conference League play-offs, then the deal wasn’t done,” he told talkSPORT the White and Jordan show.
“Whatever dillying and dallying was being done, unless there was going to be an agreement that said directly after the game in the UEFA Conference League he was going to sign for Spurs, then I don’t understand what we’re talking about.”
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Why did Tottenham decide against triggering Eze’s release clause?
Jacobs then provided his insight into Tottenham’s strategy in trying to acquire Eze for the best possible price despite opting against triggering the release clause.
“Tottenham, thinking they were in a one-horse race at that point, decided they were not going to trigger the clause because the terms of that clause were less preferable.
“As a result, they tried to do a deal slightly under it.
“But now if you look at the two agreements in principle, it’s £60m and 7.5m in add-ons, instead of a £68m package.
“Maybe in fairness to Daniel Levy the terms are completely different. They are far more preferable to Spurs and Arsenal compared to that release clause.
“But I think from Tottenham’s point of view, if they knew Arsenal were going to come into the race and they didn’t last week, maybe they’d have triggered the clause or maybe they’d have pushed to get their agreement done on the Friday.
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“Then Eze would likely have not played against Chelsea and he would have held up a Tottenham shirt.
“The delay from Palace in relation to the UEFA Conference League came after that window of opportunity and on the Friday, Tottenham were in a one-horse race and by the weekend, Arsenal had started to make their move.
“Naturally, (Crystal Palace owner) Steve Parish played a blinder and was able to have two clubs speaking to him and he’s basically got the full release clause paid even though it expired on the Friday.
Alex Crook’s talkSPORT Verdict
“This signing feels like a win-win for Arsenal.
“Not only have they humiliated Tottenham, their north London rivals, but they’ve picked up a player who has already proven himself to be a star at Premier League level and also to be a man for the big occasion having scored in both the FA Cup semi-final and final for Palace last season.
“He will also relish the pressure of pulling on the shirt of his boyhood heroes and will have added motivation to hold down a regular place in the Arsenal first-team ahead of next summer’s World Cup when he hopes to be one of Thomas Tuchel’s go-to men.
“It means Arsenal now have at least two very good options in every position and arguably the strongest squad of any of the Premier League title contenders.
“Injuries played a big part in their downfall at the end of last season, and signings like Eze should ensure history does not repeat.
“Manager Mikel Arteta is also a fan of his versatility and while Arsenal see his best position as at number 10, he can also play out wide on the left where Gabriel Martinelli struggled in the second half of last season.
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“Eze has also proven his character by not following the footsteps of the likes of Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa and throwing his toys out the pram to force a move.
“This fits in with Arteta’s famous ‘no d***heads’ policy.”
