TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, understands that Tottenham are sad to miss out on Eberechi Eze, but Arsenal’s hijack didn’t come as a big shock. The 27-year-old has been on the radar of both North London clubs in this window, with the Gunners holding talks with his agents at the very start of the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Eberechi Eze hit the rocks – and the fallout inside the club is immediate. What looked like a deal on the verge of completion for the Crystal Palace star instead turned into a late ambush by Arsenal, who moved in after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury.