Inside Eberechi Eze to Arsenal: Last-minute phone call with Arteta, Tim Lewis’ role, Josh Kroenke’s sign-off

Authors: James McNicholas

Publisher:

The New York Times

Published: 8/23/2025

Language:English

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Tom Banks

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, and welcome to Goose Pod, your personalized podcast experience. Today is Friday, August 29th, 07:05. I'm Tom Banks, and with me is Mask. We're diving into a fascinating transfer story.

Mask

We are. Today’s topic is, "Inside Eberechi Eze to Arsenal: Last-minute phone call with Arteta, Tim Lewis’ role, Josh Kroenke’s sign-off." It's not just a transfer; it's a strategic power play.

Tom Banks

Let's get started. It's a huge move. Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace in a deal that could be worth up to £67.5 million. This wasn't just another signing; it felt essential, especially with the recent injury scares.

Mask

Essential is the right word. With Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard having fitness issues, Eze’s arrival is critical. It’s a decisive move to bolster an attack that can't afford to be fragile. This is about ensuring depth and lethality, not just adding a name to the roster.

Tom Banks

And it happened in a record-breaking summer. Premier League clubs spent over £2.6 billion, and this transfer was one of the deals that pushed them over the previous record. Arsenal's own spending on forwards, including Eze, hit a net of £180.5 million. It’s quite the statement.

Mask

It's the cost of ambition. While Palace's frontline is now £67.5 million lighter, Arsenal's is significantly heavier with talent. In a league where everyone is spending, you either invest big or you get left behind. This is Arsenal refusing to be left behind.

Tom Banks

What makes this story so compelling is the personal history. This is a homecoming for Eze. He was actually at Arsenal's academy back in 2006, a boyhood fan from a family of Gooners. But the club released him when he was just thirteen.

Mask

A classic setback story. Failure is a data point. Being released by Arsenal, then Fulham, then Millwall… that kind of repeated rejection forges a certain kind of relentless drive. It's not a weakness; it's the crucible that created the player he is today. You can't buy that kind of hunger.

Tom Banks

That’s a great way to put it. His former teammate Jamie Mackie said that early disappointment made him determined to do well. He certainly proved that at QPR and then at Crystal Palace, where he became a star, even scoring the winning goal in their FA Cup final.

Mask

Exactly. He didn't just survive; he dominated. 40 goals in 169 appearances for Palace tells you everything. He made himself so valuable that the club that once discarded him for nothing had to pay nearly £70 million to bring him back. That's the ultimate validation of his work ethic.

Tom Banks

It’s a fourteen-year journey back to North London, back to where it all began. And now he's been given the iconic number 10 shirt. There’s a beautiful symmetry to it, a real sense of a story coming full circle for him and his family.

Tom Banks

But this beautiful story was almost written with a different ending. Tottenham Hotspur were on the verge of signing him. By all accounts, Spurs and Crystal Palace were "very close" to an agreement around August 15th, with Daniel Levy and Steve Parish holding face-to-face talks.

Mask

Close doesn't cut it. They hesitated. The deal hit a snag over the bonus structure. While Tottenham was haggling over details, Arsenal was facing a crisis. Kai Havertz went down with a knee injury, and suddenly their strategic priorities shifted. They needed a solution, fast.

Tom Banks

And that’s where Eze himself stepped in. On Wednesday, before committing to Spurs, he made a final call to Mikel Arteta. He was a lifelong Arsenal fan; he just had to know if there was any chance, any hope of a deal with the club he loved.

Mask

That's not hope; that's seizing an opportunity. He forced the issue. While Spurs were negotiating for weeks, Arsenal struck their deal in less than 24 hours. Arsenal saw an opening and exploited it ruthlessly. It was a clean, decisive hijack. A lesson in efficiency.

Tom Banks

The impact was immediate. Mikel Arteta spoke about what Eze brings, saying, "He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension." He praised his journey, mentality, and ambition, highlighting how much joining the club meant to Eze and his family.

Mask

That's the culture fit, but the real impact is tactical. Arsenal's attack now has a different kind of threat. For a £68 million fee and a five-year contract, you're not just buying a player; you're buying a versatile weapon that disrupts the opponent's defensive structure. It’s a calculated investment.

Tom Banks

And for Eze, you could feel the emotion. He talked about being scouted as a kid and getting the kit that his hero, Thierry Henry, wore. He said, "This is the perfect shirt." It’s a dream realized, and that kind of passion can be incredibly powerful on the pitch.

Tom Banks

Looking ahead, it'll be fascinating to see how Arteta uses him. He's not a direct replacement for Havertz, but his versatility offers so many potential solutions. There's even talk of using him off the left, which could free up other players to fill in centrally.

Mask

He's a tactical Swiss Army knife. He can thrive in nuanced systems. With Havertz's role already being a point of debate, Eze gives Arteta the freedom to be unpredictable. He can operate in the half-spaces, rotate, and add a creative flair that elevates the entire attack.

Tom Banks

That's all the time we have for today. From a childhood dream to a dramatic last-minute phone call, it's truly a transfer love story. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod, 跑了松鼠好嘛.

Mask

A story of ambition meeting opportunity. See you tomorrow.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the news regarding Eberechi Eze's transfer to Arsenal: ## Eberechi Eze Completes Dream Transfer to Arsenal, Rejecting Tottenham **News Title:** Inside Eberechi Eze to Arsenal: Last-minute phone call with Arteta, Tim Lewis’ role, Josh Kroenke’s sign-off **Report Provider:** The New York Times (The Athletic) **Author:** James McNicholas **Date of Publication:** August 23, 2025 This report details the dramatic and ultimately successful transfer of Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, a move described as a "love story" for the player who grew up as an Arsenal fan. The transfer saw Arsenal beat fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur to Eze's signature, with a last-minute intervention from Mikel Arteta playing a crucial role. ### Key Findings and Conclusions: * **Eze's Preference for Arsenal:** Despite being on the verge of signing for Tottenham Hotspur, Eberechi Eze made a decisive phone call to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to gauge Arsenal's interest. His lifelong support for Arsenal ultimately swayed his decision. * **Arsenal's Urgent Need:** Arsenal's pursuit of Eze was significantly accelerated by the knee injury sustained by Kai Havertz. This injury left Arsenal needing to reinforce their attacking options, especially with crucial fixtures against Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester City looming. * **Tottenham's Near Miss:** Tottenham Hotspur had been in advanced negotiations with Crystal Palace for Eze. They had reportedly agreed on a broad outline of a deal for **£50 million with a further £10 million in add-ons** by August 18. However, a dispute over the bonus structure and Arsenal's swift intervention led to the collapse of their deal. * **Arsenal's Swift Action:** Arsenal, spurred by Havertz's injury, moved rapidly. They secured an agreement with Crystal Palace for an initial **£60 million with a potential £7.5 million in add-ons**. Eze's representatives also agreed to personal terms on a **four-year contract with an option for a further year**. * **Player-Driven Initiative:** Eze actively lobbied his England teammates at Arsenal to push for his transfer, mirroring a similar proactive approach seen with Viktor Gyokeres previously. This demonstrated Eze's strong desire to join Arsenal. * **Club Ambition and Strategy:** The transfer is seen as a statement of ambition for Arsenal, aiming to avoid a season defined by injuries. While initially prioritizing a No. 9 and then strengthening the wings (leading to the acquisition of Noni Madueke for an initial **£48.5 million**), Arsenal ultimately prioritized Eze due to his impact and versatility. * **Financial Considerations and Risk:** Arsenal's spending on Eze, who they allowed to leave their academy for free, has raised some eyebrows, particularly in relation to UEFA's squad cost ratio legislation. However, the club has adopted an aggressive approach this summer, deeming it a time for decisive action. * **Eze's Impact and Role:** Eze, who will wear the **No. 10 shirt**, is considered a "Tier 1" addition, expected to be a starter. He brings creativity, flair, and end product, evidenced by his **14 domestic goals and 11 assists for Crystal Palace last season**. While not a direct replacement for Havertz, his versatility allows him to play centrally or on the left wing, providing tactical flexibility. ### Key Statistics and Metrics: * **Transfer Fee:** Initial **£60 million** with potential **£7.5 million** in add-ons. * **Contract Length:** **Four years** with an option for a further year. * **Eze's Previous Season Stats:** **14 domestic goals** and **11 assists** for Crystal Palace. * **Noni Madueke Transfer Fee:** Initial **£48.5 million**. * **Tottenham's Proposed Deal:** **£50 million** with **£10 million** in add-ons. * **Eze's Release Clause (expired):** **£60 million plus £8 million** in add-ons. ### Important Recommendations: * Not explicitly stated, but the report implies Arsenal's aggressive transfer strategy is a key recommendation for overcoming squad limitations and reinforcing ambition. ### Significant Trends or Changes: * **Shift in Arsenal's Transfer Priorities:** Arsenal demonstrated a willingness to pivot their transfer strategy based on player availability and urgent squad needs, moving from a No. 9 to Eze. * **Player Agency in Transfers:** The report highlights the increasing influence of players in dictating their own moves. ### Notable Risks or Concerns: * **UEFA Squad Cost Ratio Legislation:** Arsenal's significant spending, particularly on Eze, brings them closer to UEFA's financial regulations. * **Internal Caution:** Some within Arsenal reportedly urged caution regarding the expenditure on Eze. ### Material Financial Data: * **Eze Transfer:** **£60 million** (initial) + **£7.5 million** (add-ons). * **Noni Madueke Transfer:** **£48.5 million** (initial). * **Tottenham's Proposed Eze Deal:** **£50 million** + **£10 million** (add-ons). * **Eze's Previous Release Clause:** **£60 million** + **£8 million** (add-ons). The narrative emphasizes the emotional pull of Arsenal for Eze and the strategic, albeit rapid, decision-making by the club's hierarchy, including Mikel Arteta, Tim Lewis (Arsenal's executive vice-chair), and Josh Kroenke (co-chairman), to secure the player. The transfer is framed as a significant coup for Arsenal, especially given their history of being "gazumped" by rivals in the transfer market.

Read original at The New York Times →

It’s not a hijack, it’s a love story.On Wednesday, Eberechi Eze was expecting to sign for Tottenham. It was undeniably a good move: a London club, a Champions League club, no less. For his career, it represented a step up.But before he committed, there was one phone call he needed to make. Eze called Mikel Arteta.

It was not the first time they had spoken. Arteta and Eze had a conversation at the end of June, when Arsenal first explored a potential deal for the 27-year-old Crystal Palace playmaker. Since then, however, Arsenal’s interest had seemingly waned. Tottenham had stepped up their pursuit.From a professional perspective, Eze was happy to sign for Spurs.

But he had grown up an Arsenal fan. He wept when released from the club’s academy aged 13. Before signing anything, Eze needed to know if there was any chance of making a deal with Arsenal happen.Timing is everything, and Eze’s couldn’t have been better. Arsenal were still reeling from the news that Kai Havertz had been sidelined with a knee injury.

They were actively looking for ways to reinforce their attack.Arteta told Eze that Arsenal had a board meeting that afternoon. By the time that meeting had concluded, an ecstatic Eze was informed that the deal was all but done. By Wednesday night, Arsenal had an agreement with Crystal Palace for an initial £60million ($81.

2m) with a potential £7.5m in add-ons. Eze’s representatives had also agreed personal terms on a four-year contract with the option of a further year.There was no real tug-of-war with Tottenham. There couldn’t be. If Arsenal were at the table, there was only one destination for this player.As well as speaking to Arteta, Eze lobbied England team-mates at Arsenal to push the club for his arrival.

As with Viktor Gyokeres before, Arsenal were struck by a player prepared to do whatever it took to get his preferred move.For Eze, the transfer is a dream come true. For Arsenal, it’s a statement of ambition. When Havertz went down, Arsenal were determined that this would not be another season defined by injuries.

Follow Arsenal vs Leeds United with our live coverage hereEze had a phone call with Arteta before the move to Arsenal (Stu Forster/Getty Images)After that initial conversation in June, Eze never entirely left Arsenal’s thoughts. In the end, they could not resist him. Wresting him away from their local rivals was simply the icing on the cake.

Eze loves Arsenal, but the feeling is mutual. Arteta had grown increasingly enamoured with the attacker, and the club have pushed the boat out to make a deal happen. He brings audacious talent, considerable experience, and the hunger to rewrite his Arsenal story.To tell the inside story of this transfer, The Athletic has spoken to sources from clubs involved and linked to players, who spoke anonymously to protect relationships.

A player of Eze’s calibre was always going to feature on Arsenal’s radar. Initially, however, there were other priorities to attend to in the window — chiefly the acquisition of a new No 9.When Arsenal first began exploring a potential deal for Eze, it was linked to their contract negotiations with Ethan Nwaneri.

While Arsenal were always hopeful Nwaneri would extend, talks reached a delicate stage.Nwaneri had just 12 months to run on his existing deal. With interest in the 18-year-old from the Premier League and abroad, Arsenal were clear that they could not allow him to enter the final year of his contract.

The club never wanted to sell Nwaneri, but there were fears it might come to that.Sensibly, Arsenal began exploring contingencies. They discussed Morgan Rogers and Morgan Gibbs-White, but it was Eze who held the most appeal. In early dialogue between the parties, Eze’s personality made a strong impression.

The clear issue was price. For much of the summer, Eze had a release clause enabling him to leave for a fee of £60million plus £8m in add-ons. Arsenal considered that price steep for a 27-year-old. They hoped to pay closer to £40m, perhaps ranging up to £50m with add-ons. For Palace, that was a no-go.

Arsenal’s concerns proved to be moot: in the first half of July, they had a breakthrough in contract talks with Nwaneri. The interest in Eze was shelved — temporarily, at least. Arsenal saw Eze primarily as a central player, and at the time, Arsenal prioritised strengthening the wings. They moved forward with a deal for Noni Madueke, paying an initial £48.

5million — a price they felt was attractive given the market.Arsenal and Tottenham’s pursuit of Eze have something in common: they were both accelerated by injury. When James Maddison suffered an ACL injury during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle, Spurs stepped up their interest in the Palace man.

Like Arsenal, Spurs were reluctant to meet the release clause. They started indirect negotiations with Crystal Palace over a fee. The two clubs were initially far apart in their valuations, but they steadily grew closer. By August 15, they were said to be “very close” to an agreement.On August 18, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy held face-to-face talks with his Palace counterpart, Steve Parish.

They agreed on the broad outline of a deal for £50million with a further £10m in add-ons.The following day, however, the deal took a backwards step. The devil was in the details: while the broad terms were agreed, there was a dispute over the bonus structure. Both sides were frustrated. By Tuesday evening, the deal appeared to be in some jeopardy.

On the other side of north London, Arsenal were experiencing problems of their own that evening. Havertz had missed Arsenal’s penultimate friendly with a knee issue, but this time, the injury appeared altogether more serious. Scans on Tuesday did not provide a clear timeline for recovery, but Arsenal were concerned.

At best, he’d miss weeks — weeks in which Arsenal face crucial games against Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester City. At worst, it could be months.Arsenal were concerned by the injury suffered by Havertz (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Losing Havertz for any length of time was a hammer blow. Had he been fully fit, many at Arsenal felt he was in line to start at Old Trafford.

Arteta had envisaged relying on the German international while Viktor Gyokeres built up his match fitness.Arsenal bought Gyokeres to ensure they had real depth and options at centre-forward. A lengthy lay-off for Havertz would put them back where they started. Arsenal recognised they would need to re-enter the market.

On Wednesday morning, in an attempt to push through the transfer, Spurs submitted a formal offer which acceded to all of Palace’s demands — including allowing Eze to participate in their UEFA Conference League qualifier on Thursday night. They never heard back. Within hours, Parish had struck a deal with Arsenal.

It’s well-known that Eze preferred Arsenal. But Palace did too.The good relationship between Parish and Arsenal’s executive vice-chair Tim Lewis was key. While Arsenal had backed away from Eze, they were able to remain informed on proceedings, perhaps hoping to return if they made sales. Negotiations between Tottenham and Palace had been difficult, and when Lewis and Arsenal came forward as an alternative buyer, Parish was happy to oblige.

Arsenal had discussed a number of options to replace Havertz. They toyed with the idea of a No 9, but knew that would create congestion when Havertz returned. Some lobbied for a left-winger, with Rodrygo of Real Madrid once again discussed.But it was Eze who won out. He had left a big impression on Arteta, and Arsenal decided he could bring qualities they did not have elsewhere in the squad.

Once approval had been received from Arsenal’s owners — co-chairman Josh Kroenke is in Europe for the start of the Premier League season and signed off on behalf of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment — they proceeded with a bid. Spurs had been negotiating for weeks — Arsenal struck their deal in less than 24 hours.

Arsenal know what it feels like to be in Tottenham’s position. In January 2023, they were gazumped in a similar fashion by Chelsea for Mykhailo Mudryk. This time, the shoe is on the other foot.For Palace, the outcome was ideal. The final agreement was for an initial £60million with a further £7.5m in possible add-ons — virtually the same as the release clause that expired before the start of the Premier League season.

Palace had benefited from the interest of two parties in Eze.Arsenal also agreed that Eze would be available to play against Fredrikstad on Thursday night, scheduling his medical for the following day.Arsenal’s willingness to spend big on Eze before securing any significant sales has surprised many.

Arsenal have spent almost £70million on a player they allowed to leave their academy for nothing. Even internally, some urged caution. Arsenal are sailing ever closer to the wind on UEFA’s squad cost ratio legislation.(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)But Arsenal have taken an aggressive approach this summer.

This was not, they deemed, the time for hesitation.Eze, who will wear the No 10 shirt, is another Tier 1 addition to the Arsenal squad — a player with the quality to be a starter. He is well-known to many of the group through the England squad. He brings creativity, flair, and end product, with 14 domestic goals and 11 assists for Palace last season.

He offers tactical intelligence, too. Under Oliver Glasner, he has shown an ability to thrive in a nuanced system.He is not a direct replacement for Havertz, but he has the versatility to offer a number of potential solutions. Despite originally envisaging him as a central player, Arsenal are giving consideration to using Eze off the left.

His presence in the squad also liberates the likes of Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino to fill in for Havertz when required.In the end, Eze did not play against Fredrikstad. On Thursday morning, he explained to Glasner that he did not feel able to play. His mind was elsewhere. His heart, too.Arsenal have not just bought Eze.

They have brought him home.It was nearly Spurs, but it was always Arsenal.(Illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)