Arsenal are closing in on signing Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace ahead of their Europa Conference League clash with Fredrikstad.
Mikel Arteta suffered a real blow on Wednesday, as Kai Havertz picked up a knee injury which could keep him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
Arsenal had gone quiet on potential incoming deals, but are now set to secure a major signing.
The Gunners have pounced for Eberechi Eze, hijacking Tottenham Hotspur’s move for the Crystal Palace playmaker.
Spurs were closing in on Eze, but have now seen rivals Arsenal swoop in with a deal in light of Havertz’s injury.
Jakub Kiwior could head to Palace in return, with Arsenal now on the verge of welcoming Eze back to North London.
Eze is no doubt itching to start his second spell at Arsenal, having previously been in their ranks as a kid.
The playmaker has been on a long journey to reach this point, but is now so close to pulling on the famous red and white shirt once more.
Eze has been busy gearing up for Crystal Palace’s next game, though, as the Eagles are in Europa Conference League action on Thursday.
After a major battle over Palace’s European involvement this season, Oliver Glasner’s side take on Fredrikstad in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier.
Some may have wondered whether Arsenal’s accelerated move for Eze would see him pull out of Palace’s European clash.
However, The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims that Eze is still expected to play for Palace on Thursday night before then undergoing a medical with Arsenal.
The Gunners may have some fear over Eze picking up an injury against Fredrikstad, but Palace appear to have been firm in their stance that Eze plays.
Eze will now hope to go out on a high with Palace and push the Eagles closer to the Conference League league phase before finalising his Arsenal move.
The news will serve as a huge blow to Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs had already missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White after the playmaker chose to stay at Nottingham Forest.
Eze had become Tottenham’s top target, but they have now been pipped at the last minute by Arsenal.
Sky Sports now claim that Tottenham have already moved on to other targets, seemingly accepting that Eze will be joining Arsenal.
Eze looked bound for Tottenham on Wednesday morning, but that Havertz injury has completely changed the landscape and is leaving Spurs to completely reevaluate their plans once again.
