Spurs were reported to have agreed a £60 million deal with Crystal Palace for the transfer of Eberechi Eze.
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Arsenal star Eberechi Eze has reflected on his decision to join the Gunners instead of north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on a recent school visit.
The England international appeared poised to sign for Spurs with The Sun reporting that a £60 million fee had been agreed between Thomas Frank’s side and Crystal Palace. Tottenham Hotspur were set to pay £30 million up front to secure the in-demand attacking midfielder with the rest coming in instalments.
However, at the last minute, Arsenal swooped in and lured the 27-year-old to the Emirates Stadium. That came as a blow to their bitter north London rivals.
Eberechi Eze reflects on Tottenham Hotspur snub
Ahead of Arsenal taking on his former side Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Eze visited The John Roan School in Greenwich to talk to pupils. During the visit, he was asked about making that choice, as per The Athletic.
Eze said: “I was prepared to go to Tottenham, but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them.”
He later added: “It’s a bit different from when I was at Crystal Palace. Playing for Arsenal (matches) are more like a show or theatre. There’s more pressure, playing for titles and in the Champions League, but it’s something I’ve dreamed of since being a kid. It’s not 100 per cent there at the minute, but I’m enjoying getting better.”
Spurs sign Xavi Simons instead
Tottenham Hotspur instead turned their attentions to signing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. Spurs were believed to have beaten Chelsea to that £51.8 million deal.
Neither Eze nor Simons have truly got off to a rapid start with their new sides and only time will tell which player becomes the better signing in the Premier League. Simons has made nine appearances for Spurs so far this season but has just one assist to his name, which came in his top flight debut against West Ham.
Simons is five years younger than Eze and, speaking this week, Spurs boss Thomas Frank has backed the midfielder to progress rapidly. He said: “We try to help every player. He has been with us for seven or eight weeks which is a very short time in football. He is adapting every day.
“I liked his personality, the way he played in the first 60 minutes against Villa. He then tired. My demands are more intensity in general. He has the passing, the vision. He trained really well today.”
In other news, Tottenham predicted line-up to face Everton: Four changes made including Xavi Simons decision.