Alasdair Gold shares gutting reason why Tottenham deal for Eze was delayed before Arsenal hijack

Tottenham Hotspur have once again found themselves in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, with many fans and pundits describing the latest transfer setback as another public embarrassment.

This comes after their long pursuit of Eberechi Eze collapsed in dramatic fashion, leaving Arsenal to swoop in at the final moment and secure the Crystal Palace star.

For weeks, Spurs had been considered the leading contenders for Eze’s signature, only to see the player turn down their interest and head across North London in a £68 million deal that shocked many supporters.

Football journalist Alasdair Gold explained how Tottenham’s attempts to sign the England international stalled, giving Arsenal the perfect opportunity to take advantage.

According to him, Crystal Palace were reluctant to allow Eze to leave before their crucial Conference League clash with Fredrikstad on Thursday, which caused delays in negotiations.

Tottenham had hoped that once Palace’s European tie was out of the way, they could finalize the deal, but the hesitation opened the door for Arsenal. The Gunners wasted no time, sealing verbal agreements with both club and player to hijack the transfer.

For Eze, the decision was about more than just money or timing. His connection to Arsenal runs deep. A boyhood fan of the Gunners, Eze spent his early football years in their academy before being released at the age of 13.

He has often spoken about how heartbreaking that moment was, once admitting he “cried for a week” after being let go. Now, over a decade later, the opportunity to return to the club he grew up supporting proved irresistible.

Arsenal’s need for a new creative option following Kai Havertz’s knee injury only accelerated the process, and the deal was quickly set in motion. Havertz’s absence, combined with Arsenal’s push for greater attacking depth, made Eze the ideal signing at the perfect time.

For Tottenham, the timing could not have been worse. The club is already facing an uphill battle this season, with Ange Postecoglou in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.

Losing their captain and talisman Son Heung-min to MLS side Los Angeles FC has left a huge void, while James Maddison’s serious ACL injury means one of their most creative outlets will be missing for much of the 2025/26 campaign.

The situation is made worse by Dejan Kulusevski’s recovery from a knee injury sustained back in May, leaving Spurs thin in attacking options and short of players capable of unlocking defenses.

Missing out on Eze, who enjoyed an outstanding spell at Crystal Palace and had been one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League, is a major setback for Tottenham’s transfer strategy.

The deal had been lined up as the marquee signing of the summer, one that could both replace Maddison’s creativity and add much-needed flair to their midfield and attack.

Instead, the collapse of negotiations has handed Arsenal another boost in their ongoing project under Mikel Arteta, leaving Spurs scrambling to identify alternatives in the final stretch of the transfer window.

One of the names that has now emerged is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. At just 23 years old, Rogers has developed into one of the most exciting young talents in English football under Unai Emery.

His performances last season, which included 19 goal contributions in the Premier League, earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Villa, however, are determined to keep hold of their star man, having tied him down to a long-term contract until 2030. With just days left in the window, Tottenham face an uphill challenge to convince Villa to even consider negotiations.

The frustration for Spurs fans is not just about missing out on Eze but about the repeated pattern of near misses and transfer collapses in recent years.

Daniel Levy and the club’s hierarchy are once again under pressure as supporters question whether enough is being done to support Postecoglou with the signings he needs.

With the season already underway and key players missing, the lack of depth in attack could prove costly if no significant additions arrive before the deadline.

Ultimately, Tottenham’s failed pursuit of Eze highlights the fine margins of the transfer market, where hesitation can turn ambition into disappointment overnight.

Arsenal’s quick and decisive move has not only strengthened their squad but also dealt a psychological blow to their rivals. For Spurs, the focus now shifts to finding solutions before the window closes, but the sting of this missed opportunity will not fade quickly.

In the eyes of many, this was a moment to make a statement, and instead, it has become another chapter in a growing list of frustrations.