Thomas Frank sends defiant message after Eberechi Eze snub

Thomas Frank has sent a message of defiance after Arsenal hijacked the club's move for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.

Tottenham edged towards the signing of the England international for a frustratingly long period, but were eventually pipped to Eze's signature by the Gunners. While many have been left aghast by Daniel Levy's penny pinching, it's become clear that Eze and Palace were waiting for our rivals to come back in as negotiations between the two clubs hit stumbling blocks.

Arsenal reportedly had a deal in place with Palace all along, eventually completing their silent hijacking on Wednesday. Eze is expected to be announced as the latest Gooner over the weekend, with Spurs scrambling around for two attacking additions before the summer window slams shut.

Thomas Frank sends clear message after Eberechi Eze saga

It's fair to say the new manager has enjoyed quite the Spurs experience during his first few months at the helm. Transfer frustrations have once again been prevalent, and it looks like the club will be forced into conducting their business late in the summer window.

Eze was the addition so many supporters craved, and Arsenal's move for the 27-year-old does hurt. From the player's perspective, his preference for the Gunners makes sense, given his emotional connection. Eze was on their books as a youngster, but was released when he was 13.

It was no surprise that Frank was asked about Spurs' transfer activity before Saturday's trip to the Etihad, and the boss established the type of player he wants the club to sign after Eze's snub.

“To be very, very clear, I don’t want any players that don’t want to come to the club," the Dane said (via the BBC). "They don't want to come to the club, to wear this fantastic badge, we don’t want them here."

Frank echoed Ange Postecoglou's message from April 2024, when he said, "I want people who want to come to Tottenham. I don't want those players [who are swayed by Champions League football] because they don't want to come to Tottenham, they want to play Champions League."

The club are sounding out alternatives to the Eze, but it's remarkable, given what's transpired in north London this summer, that Frank is still without a recognised central playmaker approaching the final week of the window. There are options on the table, but selling clubs would be wise to pounce upon our desperation.