Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has insisted they did not make a move for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze due to Kai Havertz’s latest injury setback.
Eze has already undergone a medical ahead of his £67.5 million switch.
The Gunners hijacked Tottenham’s bid to land the England international on Wednesday, the same day that Havertz missed open training at Emirates Stadium.
Havertz’s knee problem is being assessed by the club’s doctors and he could be unavailable for months.
When asked about if Arsenal made a move for Eze because of the news, Arteta told reporters: “I was accurate, I think it was very clear what I said that it [Arsenal’s transfer business] wasn’t done.
“We are not reacting to anything, we’ve been very prepared and understanding what we could do, and we have decided this is the moment to do it.”
Eze will not be in Arsenal’s matchday squad to play Leeds on Saturday evening, as the transfer was not ratified before Friday’s 12pm deadline.
EPL: Eze deal not linked with Havertz injury – Arteta
