Arsenal are attempting to hijack Tottenham's pursuit of Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze after learning Kai Havertz has suffered a potentially serious knee injury, sources have told ESPN.
On a dramatic day of activity, Spurs were on Wednesday morning increasingly confident of securing a deal worth at least £60 million ($81m) for Eze after holding direct talks with Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish.
Sources said that Arsenal had, to that point, not followed up their initial interest for two reasons: Firstly, it was in part contingent on Ethan Nwaneri potentially leaving the club -- the teenager has recently signed a new five-year deal -- while the club were prioritising outgoings before pondering a deal for Eze having committed almost £200m on signings in this window.