Tottenham ‘over-negotiated’ Eberechi Eze deal as transfer inquest begins
Tottenham were left stunned as they missed out on the transfer of Eberechi Eze due to Arsenal’s last minute swoop.
Tottenham were believed to be close to a deal for Eze but when faced with a choice between the two rivals the 27-year-old opted for Arsenal.
The move will sting for Thomas Frank‘s side as their attacking reinforcements remain at just the addition of Mohammed Kudus who joined from West Ham United.
Frank will want to further improve a squad that needs attacking depth before Spurs’ season intensifies when the Champions League kicks off.
Many believe it was Tottenham’s insistence on ‘over-negotiating’ on details that led to Arsenal stealing the advantage on the Eze deal, and one former Lilywhite has slammed their approach to the move.
Daniel Levy faces blame for Arsenal hijack of Tottenham deal
After the bombshell dropped announcing Eze had chosen Arsenal over Tottenham, fans took aim at Daniel Levy for his role in the transfer dealings.
Speaking to Sky Sports, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp said: “It’s a nightmare situation for them. It’s unfortunately typical of what happens at Tottenham with Daniel Levy.
“It was an opportunity to get someone across the line, they had two weeks – probably haggling, trying to mess around with the deal instead of just paying the money, saying ‘this is the exit clause, this is what you’ve got to pay, this is what Eberechi Eze wants’. Get it done,” he continued.
Tottenham’s season plans have been derailed die to injuries, leaving Frank light in attacking areas, and Redknapp highlighted how big a move for Eze would have been.
“This is one of those players that is going to make such a difference. You’ve not got James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski looks like he’s out for a while. They’ve slept and Arsenal have come in.
“It’s a great move for Arsenal. I’m so disappointed because I thought he’d have been a magnificent number 10 for Tottenham. He’d have been perfect for them.”
Redknapp finished by pointing to previous examples of Tottenham lacking a clinical edge in their transfer dealings this summer: “But it’s happened before, it happened with Morgan Gibbs-White earlier in the season and we’ve seen it again. Over-negotiating. Just get the deal done.”
Tottenham are bound to improve, but Thomas Frank needs more reinforcements
Football Insider verdict
Tottenham’s miserable season saw them finish 17th in the Premier League last season, but due to winning the Europa League, the club qualified for this season’s Champions League.
Frank took over from Ange Postecoglu in the summer and will look to implement a similar back three system that the outgoing Australian also utilised.
The Dane has options in his back three, with Joao Palhinha bolstering a midfield that already consists of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr, and Rodrigo Bentancur.
| Player | Position |
| Dominic Solanke | ST |
| Richarlison | ST/LW |
| Dejan Kulusevski | LW/RW |
| Brennan Johnson | LW |
| Mohammed Kudus | RW/AM |
| James Maddison | AM |
| Wilson Odobert | RW |
| Manor Solomon | LW |
| Mathys Tel | ST |
In attack Kudus will join the likes of Kulusevski and Richarlison, but injuries have meant options are light in that area of the pitch.
If Levy can move swiftly and provide Frank with some attacking reinforcements this side will surely be well placed to challenge for a top eight finish.