Metro.co.uk

Tottenham are reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with Mateus Fernandes with the Manchester United target said to be open to a move to north London.

After an impressive season at West Ham United, Fernandes has emerged as a leading transfer target for a number of clubs.

Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have explored a move for the 21-year-old with Jose Mourinho also recommending Real Madrid consider him as part of their rebuild this summer.

United were thought to be leading the race for his signature with West Ham looking for a fee of £80million for the Portuguese star.

Tottenham however have emerged as another interested party this week with fresh reports now suggesting they have made huge progress in a bid to bring him to the club.

Italian journalist Matteo Moretto reports Spurs are now ‘very close’ to reaching a contract agreement with Fernandes who is open to a move to north London.

There have however been no official negotiations with West Ham at this stage.

A successful swoop for Fernandes would represent a major coup for Tottenham who are seeking to rebuild with their brush with relegation last season.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side are also challenging the Premier League elite for the services of Sandro Tonali. The Newcastle United star is wanted by Manchester City and Arsenal with Spurs also joining the race for his signature.

United meanwhile have made rebuilding their midfield a top priority this summer. They already seem set to miss out on a player regarded as their top target in Elliot Anderson who favours a move to Manchester City.

Going to Man United is still a massive draw, Liverpool as well with their history,’ Micah Richards recently told Metro on he topic of Anderson heading to the Eithad.

‘Everyone has certain things they want when it comes to choosing a club. Some grew up Liverpool fans, some grew up Man United fans. But many will be thinking what is the best possible move for my career.’

Arrow MORE: Patrick Vieira praises £60m Arsenal target after World Cup heroics

Arrow MORE: Chelsea stance on signing Ethan Nwaneri revealed with Arsenal star put up for sale

Arrow MORE: ‘Terrific’ – Man Utd urged to sign World Cup star after Arsenal and Liverpool transfer interest

Tottenham have reportedly joined Manchester United in this summer’s hotly contested race to land West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

Spurs have set out their stall at the start of the window, signing Jan Paul van Hecke in a £52million deal from Brighton after bringing in both Andrew Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers.

But it appears the north Londoners are just getting started on the back of their near-disastrous season in the Premier League, in which they narrowly avoided the drop on the final day.

Widespread reports earlier this week indicated Spurs had entered the fray for Newcastle central midfielder, with the Italian said to be ‘open’ to the prospect of a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It’s understood Roberto De Zerbi has played a central role in Spurs’ pursuit of Tonali, actively ‘pushing’ the club’s hierarchy to coax his fellow countryman away from St James’ Park.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Tottenham are also expressing a strong interest in West Ham’s Fernandes and, as is the case with Tonali, De Zerbi has been at the heart of internal discussions.

Fernandes completed a £38m move from Southampton to the London Stadium just last summer, going on to make 38 appearances in all competitions across an eye-catching debut season at the London Stadium.

Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also believed to be closely monitoring developments around Fernandes, 21, who is considered one of the most promising young midfielders in European football.

It’s claimed West Ham have responded by slapping a hefty £80m price tag on Fernandes.

The Irons are hoping to raise in excess of £150m in transfer fees following their relegation into the Championship.

The report adds that Spurs’ interest in Fernandes does not affect their move for Tonali and De Zerbi’s side remain firmly in the picture for the former AC Milan and Brescia star.

It would take a significantly higher offer to secure an agreement for Tonali, who is valued in the region of £100m by Newcastle.

Fernandes’ current contract in east London is not due to expire until 2030, while Tonali has just two years remaining on his deal with the Toon.

A recent report in The Mirror indicated that Fernandes had ‘let it be known’ to West Ham that his preference would be to join Manchester United this summer.

‘We have a very credible strategy,’ West Ham shareholder Daniel Kretinsky told The Times when asked about the club’s potential transfer dealings earlier this month.

‘We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.

‘Key players are waiting for us. They want to see there is a real chance of keeping the squad together. What matters is funding, strategy and consistency.

‘We have spoken to all of them. They need to see that our project is real and serious. Promotion is our only goal.’

In an exclusive interview with Metro, ex-England and Manchester United striker Michael Owen talked up the prospect of Fernandes completing a move to Old Trafford to form a ‘great partnership’ with Kobbie Mainoo.

‘I thought he was brilliant last season,’ said Owen, the face of Casino.org in the UK, a leading comparison website helping Brits find online casinos that suit their preferences.

‘I watched him a lot I think he’s a very good pick. He’s reasonably young which is another massive tick. If you’re going to be spending 80 to 100 million then you don’t want to be buying someone that’s in their late 20s.

‘I could see him and Kobbie Mainoo forming a great partnership in there, and the other thing is he should be gettable.

‘West Ham have gone into the Championship and he’s not going to want to be playing in the Championship so I mean I would think that he’s very gettable and I think he’s very good.

‘I personally would be making him my first choice.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Xabi Alonso tipped to sign £40m Man Utd star for Chelsea after World Cup

Arrow MORE: ‘It’s not right’ – Paul Scholes makes Cristiano Ronaldo claim after Portugal stumble at World Cup

Arrow MORE: Olivier Giroud tips Arsenal’s £60m transfer target to join Real Madrid

Newcastle United believe Arsenal are still favourites to sign Sandro Tonali ahead of Tottenham and are expecting to receive an offer from the Premier League champions, according to reports.

Tonali has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs this summer with Arsenal, Spurs, Manchester United and Manchester City all considering a move.

Arsenal were exploring the possibility of a deal for Tonali in the closing stages of the January transfer window but Newcastle rejected the late approach.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle’s hierarchy ‘have long considered Arsenal to be the favourites to sign Tonali’ and are anticipating a bid from the Premier League champions in the summer window.

The report adds that Newcastle suspect that Tottenham’s interest in Tonali has been made public in order to flush out an offer from Arsenal.

Spurs have made an approach to Tonali’s representatives to discuss a possible move to Roberto De Zerbi’s side this summer but have not yet opened talks with Newcastle.

De Zerbi has been a huge admirer of Tonali since the start of the midfielder’s career at Brescia and has identified the 26-year-old as a player who can be a key part of his rebuild at Spurs.

‘I wanted to bring Tonali to Sassuolo, if I’d stayed, after his first year at AC Milan,’ De Zerbi said during his stint at Brighton.

‘I said, ‘maybe they’ll fall for it and I’ll bring him here’. I saw him at Brescia and thought he was the player he proved to be.’

Newcastle, however, are expected to demand a £100 million transfer fee for Tonali, who they signed from AC Milan for £55m three years ago.

Tonali’s representatives are also said to have been informed by Newcastle they they will not sell the Italy international unless their asking price is met.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are said to have have informed Newcastle they will not submit an offer for Tonali because of the cost of the transfer fee and the midfielder’s wage demands.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Arsenal star’s World Cup snub leaves two Paris Saint-Germain players stunned

Arrow MORE: Man Utd want to sign £17m bargain from Barcelona with transfer decision made

Arrow MORE: Mikel Arteta tipped to sell Arsenal star in summer transfer window: ‘Doesn’t trust him’

Ex-England striker Darren Bent has told Arsenal to avoid spending £100million on Sandro Tonali and focus their efforts on strengthening other areas of the squad.

Tonali finds himself at the centre of a Premier League tug-of-war this summer, with English champions Arsenal far from alone in exploring a possible deal for the Newcastle central midfielder.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Serie A giants Juventus are all believed to be monitoring the situation – and Newcastle are growing increasingly resigned to losing the 26-year-old.

However, reports emanating out of Tonali’s native Italy on Monday claimed Tottenham had ‘forcefully’ entered the fray and Roberto De Zerbi is said to be playing a central role in Spurs’ pursuit.

Crucially, Tonali is understood to be ‘open’ to the prospect of a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, despite the club narrowly avoiding the drop last season.

Those interested parties will be aware that Tonali’s services will not come cheap, though, with the Magpies reportedly demanding an eye-watering fee of £100m for their prized possession.

It comes six months after Arsenal held ‘direct talks’ to land Tonali as cover for Mikel Merino, who was sidelined at the time with a serious broken foot.

‘Listen, Arsenal aren’t paying £100m for Tonali,’ former Tottenham forward Bent, a lifelong fan of bitter rivals Arsenal, said on talkSPORT when addressing the latest rumours surrounding the sought-after Italy international.

‘He’s a very good player but that’s a position Arsenal don’t need to worry about.

‘Yes, I’d love to take him at Arsenal, 100 per cent, but not for £100m.

‘He’d be brilliant for Manchester United but £100m is a lot of money.’

While Bent feels Tonali has the quality to bring another dimension to Arsenal’s midfield options, he hopes the Gunners spend their transfer kitty elsewhere over the coming weeks and months.

‘For Newcastle probably, yeah, I get that [£100m price tag],’ he added.

‘He’s a good player, a very good player, and, again, I’d love him at Arsenal. But I just don’t want Arsenal paying £100m.’

Asked what he believes Tonali is really worth, Bent replied: ‘£80m or £85m, I think that would be reasonable.’

Turning his attentions to this week’s rumours surrounding Tonali, Bent believes Tottenham’s hopes of a deal could fall squarely on the shoulders of their new manager De Zerbi.

Asked if Spurs represented a step up on Newcastle, he responded: ‘The last couple of seasons would suggest no.

‘What you’re going to have to sell to Tonali when it comes to this type of conversation is the project.

‘De Zerbi will say to him, “I get it, we’ve had a couple of down years… I know we won the Europa League, but think about what we’re doing now – we’re trying to get Savinho in, we’re trying to Jan Paul van Hecke in, Andy Robertson is already there!”.

‘He [De Zerbi] be saying, “We’re starting to rebuild and you [Tonali] could be that crown jewell right in the middle”, so yeah, if they could sell that project to him then maybe they get it over the line.’

Tonali put pen to paper on a new contract with Newcastle back in January, tying him to St James’ Park until 2029.

But in an interview with Italian outlet Calcio e Finanza just two months later, Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso was unable to provide any assurances over his client’s future in the north east.

Riso also suggested that he and Tonali’s inner circle had always viewed Newcastle as something of a stepping stone to a bigger club.

‘The deal came about because a club like Newcastle with unlimited financial resources had decided to invest in Sandro,’ he said.

‘We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league.’

On a possible departure from Tyneside for a club such as Arsenal or Manchester City, Riso added: ‘Exactly, that was the goal from the moment he went to England – to try to make him a star player.

‘I think he’s the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Chelsea begin talks to sign £47m Man City target after Marc Cucurella sale

Arrow MORE: Mikel Arteta ‘driving’ Arsenal move for Spain international

Arrow MORE: Thomas Tuchel told to axe ‘struggling’ England star from World Cup team

Arsenal are interested in signing teenager Elijah Upson, who is set to leave Tottenham at the end of this month.

The 18-year-old has been with Spurs since he was seven years old but is leaving on June 30 when his current contract expires.

The centre-back is the son of former England international Matthew Upson, who was an Arsenal player from 1997-2003, making 57 appearances for the Gunners, including 14 in the 2001/02 Premier League season when Arsene Wenger’s side won the title.

The 47-year-old went on to play for the likes of West Ham, Birmingham and Brighton, winning 21 caps for the Three Lions.

Tottenham have already confirmed the young defender’s imminent exit, wishing him well for the future.

A post on X from the Tottenham Hotspur Academy last week read: ‘With us since the age of seven, Elijah was a part of the 2024/25 U17 Premier League Cup winning squad, before featuring for both our U18s and U21s last season 🙌.

‘We wish him well as he departs for pastures new 🤍.’

The Athletic report that Arsenal are keen to build for the future and snap up promising young talent, with Upson on their radar.

With the teenager already on the way out of the door at Spurs, the report does not confirm a move across north London, but only that the Gunners are interested in snapping him up.

The 18-year-old is known for his great pace, a national 100m sprint champion during his school days, which is little surprise as his mother is former runner Ellie Darby.

Arsenal are looking to the future this summer, with 16-year-old Leicester City talent also on their shopping list.

The teenager winger has already featured regularly for the Foxes, making 30 appearances in all competitions last season and scoring one goal.

Chelsea and Manchester United also have the England Under-19 international on their radars, but Arsenal are thought to be leading the race for him.

One of the brightest young talents in the country, with a lot of experience for his age, Leicester are hoping for at least £10m, after their relegation to League One.

The Times report that Brentford are also keen on Monga and are looking to pull off a coup by beating Arsenal to his signature.

Arrow MORE: Man Utd consider signing £25m Fulham star as Manuel Ugarte replacement

Arrow MORE: Man Utd set price to sign Crysencio Summerville after contacting West Ham

Arrow MORE: Manchester United and Arsenal target Iliman Ndiaye drops hint on future

Tottenham have joined this summer’s transfer race for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to reports in Italy.

Tonali has established himself as one of the most highly regarded central midfielders in Premier League football since swapping AC Milan for Newcastle back in 2023.

A ten-month ban for breaching betting rules meant Tonali made only 12 appearances in his debut season with the Magpies, but the 26-year-old has gone on to become a key member of Eddie Howe’s dressing room and was an integral figure in the club’s Carabao Cup success.

However, Tonali’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months and the Toon are bracing themselves for a potential bidding frenzy, with the summer transfer window having opened on Monday.

According to respected Italian football journalist Matteo Moretto, Spurs are the latest Premier League side to ‘forcefully’ throw themselves into the mix for Tonali’s signature.

Tottenham’s bitter rivals Arsenal had explored a possible move for Tonali back in January, while both Manchester clubs have also been credited with a strong interest in the Italy international.

But Spurs have asserted themselves as a genuine force in the battle for Tonali and it’s claimed they are ‘ready to hand the 26-year-old the keys’ to their new project under Roberto De Zerbi.

De Zerbi is said to be playing a central role in Tottenham’s pursuit of a deal for Tonali and is actively ‘pushing’ club bosses to coax his fellow countryman away from St James’ Park.

Crucially, it’s claimed Tonali is ‘open’ to the prospect of a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, despite the club narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League last season.

Newcastle are believed to be demanding a fee in excess of £100million for Tonali – just three years after the midfielder arrived in the north east from Milan in a €70m (£60.5m) deal.

Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup means Tonali is currently enjoying a long break away from football and barring an unforeseen setback, the deep-lying midfielder should enter the 2026/27 campaign with fresh legs.

Tonali’s current contract with Newcastle is not due to expire until June 2029.

Speaking to Italian publication Calcio e Finanza back in March, Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso was unable to provide any assurances over his client’s future with Newcastle.

Riso also suggested that he and Tonali’s inner circle had always viewed Newcastle as something of a stepping stone to a bigger club.

‘The deal came about because a club like Newcastle with unlimited financial resources had decided to invest in Sandro,’ he said.

‘We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league.’

On a possible departure from Tyneside for a club such as Arsenal or Manchester City, Riso added: ‘Exactly, that was the goal from the moment he went to England – to try to make him a star player.

‘I think he’s the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Chelsea add £50m defender to summer shortlist as Arsenal join transfer race

Arrow MORE: Arsenal star Bukayo Saka provides injury update ahead of England’s World Cup opener with Croatia

Arrow MORE: Real Madrid considered two Arsenal stars before signing Marc Cucurella from Chelsea

Manchester United are distancing themselves from reports they are considering a shock move for wantaway Tottenham captain Cristian Romero.

The Spurs skipper looks set to depart the north London club this summer following another turgid Premier League campaign.

After winning the Europa League just over 12 months ago, Ange Postecoglou was expected to build on that landmark success but was instead given the boot following a 17th-placed finish.

His replacement, Thomas Frank, lasted just over six months in the job and interim hire Igor Tudor presided over a miserable seven-game spell which saw the club crash out of the Champions League and become embroiled in a relegation dogfight.

Roberto De Zerbi eventually masterminded Tottenham’s recovery and preserved their top-flight status following a win over Everton on the final day of the season.

Romero missed the run-in after suffering a knee injury during the Italian’s first game at the helm, and with no European football on offer next term, the 28-year-old is angling for a move.

Spain had appeared the most likely destination for Romero, who has recovered from his injury in time to be part of Argentina’s World Cup squad.

Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid had been linked with a move for Romero before reports in Argentina suggested that United are considering a move for the 28-year-old.

United are set to invest heavily this summer in an attempt to equip Michael Carrick with a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.

However, the BBC have now reported that United are keen to distance themselves from any reported interest in Romero.

Carrick’s predecessors already spent heavily on the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro in recent windows, while the form of Ayden Heaven and contract extension handed out to Harry Maguire means United are well-stocked when it comes to central defensive options.

United have already reached an agreement to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with further reinforcements in central midfield, in goal and on left wing seen as the priority at this stage of the transfer window.

Romero’s injury issues and poor disciplinary record could make him a contentious signing for United, particularly after his attitude was called into question by ex-Red Devils defender Gary Neville last month.

Romero had initially intended to remain in Argentina and receive further treatment on his knee injury, rather than return to London to support his teammates in their bid to beat the drop before a late U-turn.

He said: ‘It’s another something Tottenham fans can look at and think there’s another disconnect.

‘They are coming here today to support their team and the captain or the club is considering not being here for the last game of the season. Bad decision. Poor choice.

‘What are you thinking? Did you not think he’d been spotted back in Argentina? Did you not think he’d be seen as missing in action?

‘It’s symptomatic of poor decision-making; it’s something they’ve corrected and he’s going to be here, but everyone knows originally the decision was not for him to be here.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Arsenal prioritise sale of £50m title winner after Morgan Rogers transfer talks

Arrow MORE: Manchester United set price to sign Alex Scott after Liverpool transfer approach

Arrow MORE: Arsenal change transfer plan after talks to sign Kenan Yildiz

Tottenham are aiming to steal a march on their rivals and have kickstarted their summer recruitment drive by making an offer for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

The Seagulls value the Netherlands international at £70million and have rejected Spurs’ initial offer.

Roberto De Zerbi is hoping to add new blood to a squad that narrowly avoided relegation on the last day of the Premier League season and have finished 17th in each of the last two campaigns.

Three wins in the final five fixtures of another shambolic season suggested the former Brighton coach was on the right path following his appointment in March.

The north London club are under no illusion, however, at the size of the rebuilding work that needs to be undertaken and another underwhelming transfer window would set the club back even further.

Captain Cristian Romero appears almost certain to depart, while Van Hecke’s Netherland’s teammate, Micky Micky van de Ven, is also the subject of interest from various heavyweight European clubs.

Tottenham are on the verge of completing a deal for free agent, Marcos Senesi who has been a mainstay of Bournemouth’s success under Andoni Iraola.

De Zerbi would be keen to pair the Argentina international with Van Hecke, a player he struck up a close relationship during their time together at the Amex Stadium, according to The Telegraph.

Spurs are unlikely to have a clear run at the 25-year-old who has just a single year remaining on his contract and is set to be sold this summer with talks over an extension unlikely to materialise.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea are in the market for defensive reinforcements and are likely to rival Spurs for Van Hecke’s services.

Xabi Alonso’s status as manager, rather than head coach, means he will have a direct influence on Chelsea’s transfer targets and adding more experience to a backline that leaked goals last season will represent a priority.

Liverpool, meanwhile, who are set to confirm Iraola as Arne Slot’s successor imminently, are keen for a new cente-half to partner Virgil van Dijk with Ibrahima Konate now set to leave on a free and join Real Madrid.

Brighton are also on the lookout for a new sporting director after Jason Ayto left the club by mutual consent on Wednesday.

Ayto joined Brighton in September 2025 after more than a decade at Arsenal, where he worked in several technical roles.

Chairman Tony Bloom said: ‘I’d like to thank Jason for everything he has done for us, and to wish him well for the future.’

Technical director Mike Cave, reporting to chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber, will oversee all sporting areas of the club, working with the existing senior team.

Arrow MORE: Emile Heskey predicts where Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool will finish next season

Arrow MORE: Emile Heskey sends warning to Morgan Rogers over £80m Arsenal transfer

Arrow MORE: Real Madrid make approach to sign £42m Arsenal star after Jose Mourinho request

Tottenham are looking at a string of Premier League transfer targets as they look to bounce back from a nightmare season.

Spurs narrowly avoided a shock relegation to the Championship, with victory over Everton on the final day of the season keeping them in the top flight.

Disaster was avoided, but finishing 17th for the second season on the bounce is still a woeful return for a club of Tottenham’s stature.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi only arrived on the final day of March and was important in keeping the north London side in the Premier League.

He now expects the squad to be significantly different by the time next season begins, with new arrivals and some players shipped out.

The manager said after the 1-0 win over Everton: ‘We have 10, 11, 12 players who are good enough to stay – good enough as players and especially people.’

The Independent report that the Italian is eyeing his former club Brighton for a trio of new signings, if Spurs can get them.

De Zerbi wants midfielder Carlos Baleba, defender Jan Paul van Hecke and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen as part of his significant rebuild.

Signing all three seems unlikely, especially as Baleba alone was valued at around £100m when Manchester United were interested last summer.

Spurs have already identified targets elsewhere, though, including Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford, who is second choice behind Gianluigi Donnarumma at the Etihad.

The Daily Mail report that Tottenham are also looking at Leeds United ‘keeper Karl Darlow.

Tottenham have been linked with signing Liverpool hero Andy Robertson for some time as he leaves Anfield at the end of his contract.

The Scot is now expected to move to Spurs after they avoided relegation, with the 32-year-old bidding farewell to the Reds on Sunday after nine years at the club.

The extensive search for new players continues with two more Manchester City stars also reportedly on the shopping list at Spurs on top of Trafford.

The Mail’s report states that Tottenham are still interest in winger Savinho, having tried and failed to sign him last summer.

The Independent claim that Spurs are also looking at John Stones, who is available on a free transfer after leaving City at the end of his contract.

Centre-back is clearly a position De Zerbi is desperate to strengthen as Tottenham are also at the front of the queue to sign Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi.

The 29-year-old has been a regular during this impressive season for the Cherries but is now expected to make the move to north London.

In terms of outgoings, there will be some big names departing this summer, either on free transfers, at the end of loan deals or sold.

Yves Bissouma and Ben Davies are both out of contract and extensions are unlikely.

Joao Palhinha and Randal Kolo Muani have both been on loan this season and Spurs would like to keep Palhinha after his short-term move from Bayern Munich, but Kolo Muani does not seem likely to have any future at the club.

Captain Cristian Romero is likely to be sold, with Atletico Madrid long-term admirers, while goalkeeper Gugliemo Vicario is also expected to depart.

Arrow MORE: Premier League Supercomputer predicts the 2026/27 champions as Arsenal bid to defend title

Arrow MORE: Jose Mourinho’s stance on Aurelien Tchouameni amid Man Utd interest in Real Madrid star

Arrow MORE: Arsenal open talks to sign Chelsea target after Mikel Arteta sanctions £80m move

Eberechi Eze could not resist a small dig at Tottenham after being reminded about how different his last season could have been.

Eze and his Arsenal teammates finally got their hands on the Premier League trophy on Sunday having been crowned champions in midweek.

The Gunners secured a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on final day before celebrating on the pitch at Selhurst Park, a full-circle moment for Eze who left Palace last summer to join Mikel Arteta’s side.

However, it could have been a different season entirely for the 27-year-old, who, at one point, looked destined to join Tottenham before an 11th-hour intervention from their north London rivals.

And Eze was quick to laugh at the sliding doors moment when jokingly asked by former Gunners defender Lee Dixon if his decision to join Arsenal rather than fighting relegation with Spurs was the right one.

‘I’m pretty sure I did [make the right decision], I’m pretty sure I did,’ a grinning Eze replied to NBC Sports.

Asked about his emotions more generally having won his first league title, Eze added: ‘Yeah, no words, no words to describe this feeling.

‘It’s been a long season, so many ups, downs, but we’ve reached the end of the marathon and having won, I can only thank God.’

The season could well get better still for Arsenal as they now turn their attention to next weekend’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

And Eze insisted that the mood inside the dressing room has only grown following their league title triumph.

‘It’s faith, it’s faith and belief,’ he added. ‘I think that’s what it is, it’s showing itself in so many different places.

‘And I just feel like everyone’s got this feeling that we can do it, that we can achieve things, that the journey is being paved for us.

‘And as long as we’re doing everything we can, God’s going to take care of the rest. And I feel like that feeling is all over the place, really.’

Elsewhere, Eze’s leadership was praised by Declan Rice, who said his fellow countryman’s calming presence in the dressing room helped the team immensely down the closing stretch.

‘He’s such a calm guy, you see how he is on the pitch that’s how he is off the pitch,’ Rice said. ‘He just calmed everyone and it was really nice.

‘That’s been another thing this season, there’s been a lot of people who have stepped up behind the scenes.

‘Nobody would think they’re leaders but they’ve really been talking within the group and they’ve pushed people in quiet one to ones. It’s been a real group effort this season.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Arsenal star hints he is ready to leave this summer after title triumph

Arrow MORE: Julian Alvarez makes decision over Arsenal transfer as Atletico Madrid ‘issue ultimatum’

Arrow MORE: Roy Keane takes aim at Bruno Fernandes again with ‘donkey’ dig at Man Utd star