Alasdair Gold shares gutting reason why Tottenham deal for Eze was delayed before Arsenal hijack
Tottenham Hotspur have once again found themselves on the wrong end of the transfer market, with journalist Alasdair Gold describing the club’s failed move for Eberechi Eze as “another public embarrassment.”
For weeks, Spurs had been positioned as the favourites to land the Crystal Palace playmaker, who was viewed as a key addition to Thomas Frank’s squad ahead of the new season. However, in a dramatic twist, arch-rivals Arsenal swooped in late and are now closing in on a £68 million deal for the England international.
According to Gold, Tottenham believed they were on course to finalise Eze’s arrival earlier this week. Negotiations had advanced to the point where the player was preparing to make the switch to North London, with Palace holding out only because they wanted him available for their crucial Europa Conference League qualifier against Norwegian side Fredrikstad on Thursday night. This delay, Gold claims, left Spurs vulnerable and gave Arsenal the perfect opening to hijack the move.
The Gunners wasted no time taking advantage of the situation. With both the club and Eze’s representatives now verbally agreeing on the transfer, the 27-year-old is set to wear red rather than white next season. The move has extra significance because Eze has long-standing ties to Arsenal. A boyhood fan of the club, he spent his early years in their academy before being released at the age of 13 – a moment he has previously admitted left him in tears for an entire week. His decision to return to the Emirates therefore carries a sense of unfinished business.
Arsenal’s interest was also triggered by circumstance. Kai Havertz, a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s plans, picked up a knee injury this week, missing an open training session at the Emirates on Wednesday. With Havertz facing a spell on the sidelines, Arsenal quickly accelerated their pursuit of Eze, seeing him as the perfect creative reinforcement.
For Tottenham, however, the failed deal marks yet another frustrating chapter in a transfer window that has already tested their patience. The Lilywhites are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements following the departure of former captain Son Heung-min to MLS side Los Angeles FC, while star midfielder James Maddison faces six to seven months out after suffering an ACL injury. To make matters worse, Dejan Kulusevski is still sidelined as he continues his recovery from a serious knee problem sustained back in May, leaving Frank’s squad short of creativity and goals.
In response to losing out on Eze, Spurs have quickly turned their attention elsewhere. Reports suggest Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers is now firmly on their radar, with the club exploring the possibility of a late summer move. Rogers, who impressed in spells last season, is seen as a versatile option capable of filling the creative void left by Maddison and providing competition across the forward line.
Still, the timing and manner of Eze’s snub has left Tottenham supporters with a bitter taste. Missing out on one of their top targets is damaging enough, but to see him join their fiercest rivals only compounds the frustration. As Gold put it, Spurs’ inability to get the deal over the line – despite weeks of groundwork – has left them facing yet another public setback, raising further questions about the club’s efficiency in the market under Daniel Levy’s leadership.