EBERECHI EZE personally called Mikel Arteta to ask about the possibility of joining Arsenal earlier this week – while having a deal in place with Tottenham.
The 27-year-old completed a stunning return to his boyhood club on Saturday, marking the end of a huge transfer saga.
Having initially come close to joining Spurs, with a £60million agreement struck between the Lilywhites and Crystal Palace at the start of the week, Arsenal swooped in to hijack and complete a deal on Wednesday.
Within a matter of hours, the Gunners agreed to pay £60m plus £7.5m in add-ons for the England international.
Eze subsequently completed a medical and was unveiled as an Arsenal player ahead of the club’s Premier League clash with Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium.
With the move confirmed, it has now emerged that Eze called Arteta himself to ask if a move to Arsenal was on the table before committing to Tottenham.
The Athletic reported that he spoke to Arteta on Wednesday, shortly before a scheduled Arsenal board meeting.
By the end of that meeting, the attacking midfielder was informed that a deal had been all-but done.
Eze was “ecstatic” to learn that he would be returning to his boyhood club, having been released by the Gunners at the age of 13.
Arteta confirmed that Eze had been in touch following Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds on Saturday.
He said: “That shows you how much he wanted to come.
“It’s very different sometimes because you want to be very open and transparent with the players as they have to make decisions in their careers but I’m delighted to have him.
“I’m delighted to have him, I can tell how much it means to him and his whole family.”
Arsenal made a late push to sign Eze following a knee injury to Kai Havertz which was suffered during last week’s match against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
He may be called into action immediately with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard having picked up knocks against Leeds.
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