Eberechi Eze is now expected to join Arsenal after the Gunners came back in for him in the 11th hour, despite agreeing a move in principle to join north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur within the last 24 hours.

Arsenal have made a dramatic move to hijack Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury that has left the club sweating on his fitness.

Discussions with Crystal Palace are believed to be progressing and Eze has made it clear that he wants to join Spurs.

For Tottenham, news that Eberechi Eze is on the brink of joining Arsenal will be a major blow. New boss Thomas Frank had targeted Eze after losing James Maddison to injury and the club had been confident of completing a deal.

Eze always preferred to join Arsenal – the club where he spent time in the academy – and that proved crucial in luring him back to the Gunners.