Eze called Arteta last week to ask about potential move
Saka and Ødegaard taken off, raising doubt for Anfield
Mikel Arteta said Eberechi Eze had called him on Wednesday as he considered whether to sign for Tottenham to check if there might still be a route to Arsenal for him.
“Yes, that shows you how much he wanted to come,” Arteta said, as he reflected on the final twist to a saga in which Arsenal acted on their longstanding interest in Eze to gazump Spurs. “It’s very difficult sometimes because you want to be very transparent and open with the players. They have to make decisions that are very important.”
Spurs had agreed a fee with Crystal Palace for Eze but Arsenal stole in to get him for £60m plus £7.5m in add-ons. They had held the upper hand over Spurs all summer in that Eze always preferred to go to them, having supported them as a kid and played for their academy between the ages of eight and 13. But Arteta suggested it was dramatic and “one of the fastest” transfers in the end.
