Credit: IMAGO

Tom Griffin

Wed 20 August 2025 20:06, UK

Arsenal are closing in on sealing a transfer that would see arch-rivals Spurs miss out on one of their longest-standing targets.

Arsenal to 'get Rodrygo ASAP' - Fans erupt after Kai Havertz injury news	Jamie Vardy and Marco Asensio to Arsenal updates after Kai Havertz injury	Arsenal to 'hijack Newcastle's stalled Yoane Wissa transfer' after Kai Havertz news

The Gunners’ transfer strategy has changed in recent days.

Kai Havertz has suffered a knee injury that is set to keep him out for some time.

As a result, Mikel Arteta has pressed Arsenal to push forward with signing a new attacker.

The player the Gunners boss sees as the ideal replacement for the stricken Havertz is Crystal Palace‘s Eberechi Eze — a player strongly pursued earlier in the window by Thomas Frank.

Credit: IMAGO

Despite looking nailed on to join Spurs, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Eze is now on the verge of completing a blockbuster switch to Arsenal.

The decision to join the red half of London still lies with the 27-year-old, but given Arsenal’s eagerness to get a deal across the line, fans will be expecting the attacker to put pen to paper.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

Landing Eze in a deal that is set to cost upwards of £50 million would still be considered a coup for Arsenal.

Not only is the England international Premier League proven, but he has cemented himself among the country’s very best attacking midfielders.

With new star Viktor Gyokeres struggling during his Arsenal debut, Eze could very well be the man to unlock the former Sporting Lisbon hitman.

Although Spurs are still in the mix to sign Savinho from Manchester City, their disappointment, should Eze opt to join their bitter rivals, will force Daniel Levy to reassess and seek alternative targets.

The Europa League champions are likely to delve back into the market in search of a player that mimics Eze’s profile — easier said than done!

Therefore, it goes without saying, this is far from an ideal situation, especially so late in the transfer window.

The Lilywhites have got off to a great start in the new 2025-26 Premier League season.

Although Spurs benefited from a controversial VAR decision against Burnley, they thrashed The Clarets 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in last weekend’s opening fixture.
For more news relating to Spurs, visit our sister site Spurs Latest Live.