Arsenal has officially announced the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. The England international has signed a five-year contract with the London giants.
The Athletic reported that the total value of the deal will reach €70 million, making it the Gunners’ biggest signing this summer.
Eze was close to joining Tottenham before Arsenal pulled the plug on the deal in the final minutes, diverting the player to the Emirates Stadium.
The Athletic’s latest report revealed that Eze wanted to join Arsenal alone, but when the Gunners backed out of the deal at the start of the transfer window, he was forced to accept the idea of joining Tottenham.
Hours before completing his move to Spurs, Eze called Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to ask if he still had the chance to join the Gunners.
Fortunately for the England international at the time, Kai Havertz suffered an injury that would keep him out for a long period of time. At that point, Arsenal decided to move on and contacted him again.
Arsenal presented Eze to the fans at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday ahead of the second Premier League match against Leeds United.
During his presentation, it was also announced that Eze would wear the legendary number 10.
The number 10 shirt has been worn by a number of Arsenal’s biggest stars, including Robin van Persie, Mesut Özil, and Jack Wilshere. The last to wear it was Emile Smith Rowe the season before last.
