Arsenal stopped a major move late in the summer transfer window by signing England forward Ebeki Eze, who reported targets of North London rival Tottenham.
Eze reported an initial fee of £60 million ($80 million) from Crystal Palace on Saturday. This has brought Arsenal’s spending in the transfer window this summer to £250 million ($335 million) second only to Liverpool in all European football.
For Eze, 27, it spent several years returning to the club and being released as a youth team player at age 13.
Fans chanted “One of Ours” and gave Eze a standing ovation when they came out on the field before kicking off in Arsenal’s Premier League home match.
The move had been confirmed by Arsenal just minutes ago.
“His journey, his mentality, and his ambitions are exactly what we want on our team and I love how meaningful it makes him and his family join our club,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
“We all look forward to starting to work with Ebebeki soon.”
Eze began her professional career with the second-class Queens Park Rangers before moving to the palace in 2020. There he became one of the league’s most exciting offensive midfielders and became a regular on the English team.
Last season, Eze scored a winning goal in the FA Cup final. The Palace defeated Manchester City 1-0 He qualified for the European competition for the first time. The Palace played European fixtures for the first time on Thursday – Conference League playoffs with Norwegian Fredrikstad – but Eze didn’t play In it he was able to complete his move to Arsenal.
Tottenham attacked midfielders James Madison and Dejan Crucevsky with long-term injuries, but was reportedly in discussion with Eze, who chose Arsenal.
Eze could compete with Gabriel Martinelli in left field, but could also play as one of the eighth place in the middle midfield. Arsenal will want to add Eze along with those who embrace the midfielder Martin Zubimendi,striker Viktor Gyoker And winger Noni Madue could be a difference in the Premier League title race this season after three consecutive runner-ups.
Arsenal is also one of the Champions League favorites, reaching the semi-finals last season. Eze has never played in a top European competition.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
