This transfer window has been characterized by players rejecting moves to clubs outside the traditional top six in favour of clubs in the traditional top six. Even though the practice of a player preferring a move to a more recognised and prestigious football club is not novel, this season has underlined the football food chain in a particularly vivid and obvious way.
Newcastle can put together a strong XI of players who have chosen other destinations instead of St. James’ Park. Players like Benjamin Šeško, Hugo Ekitike, James Trafford, Marc Guéhi, Dean Huijsen, Malick Thiaw, Mohammed Kudus, João Pedro, Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha, and Liam Delap have all reportedly rejected Newcastle in favour of potentially joining clubs in the traditional big six.
Though it’s not always a player switching from a big club to a smaller one, football hijackings are not uncommon amongst all clubs.
Moisés Caicedo looked set to join Chelsea after Brighton appeared ready to accept £105m, only for Liverpool to swoop in with a £110m bid. Brighton looked happy with that, but the player had his heart set on Chelsea and chose the Blues instead.
Leeds United had Max Aarons’ transfer in the bag after he underwent his medical at the club, only for him to join Bournemouth after Leeds had agreed a £12m deal with Norwich.
Manchester City’s brilliant youngster Carlos Borges looked nailed on to join West Ham but ended up at Ajax at the final minute for £20m. Tottenham signed Arnaut Danjuma after he had already agreed to join Everton in a January transfer.
Mykhailo Mudryk had made social media posts about his excitement to join Arsenal after Shakhtar Donetsk appeared set to accept one of three bids from Arsenal, but Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly made a last-minute bid for the player, and just like that, Mudryk was on his way to Chelsea.
Pedro had already agreed personal terms with Manchester United when his contract situation at Barcelona became complicated. The Red Devils were already making plans for his medical when Chelsea signed him at the final moments.
Willian was scheduled to have his Tottenham medical and was set to join the north London side, only to be holding up a Chelsea shirt three days later. Tyrell Malacia looked set for Lyon after a stellar season with Feyenoord, only for Manchester United to sign the player at the last minute.
John Obi Mikel was presented in a Manchester United press conference as a new player, only for Chelsea to say they had already struck a deal with his agency.
Roy Keane looked set to join Blackburn Rovers from relegated Nottingham Forest, only for him to back out of the deal in favour of Manchester United after a call from Sir Alex Ferguson. Robinho, Dietmar Hamann, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Emmanuel Petit are all examples of players who were hijacked by other clubs.
The latest high-profile hijack is the reported transfer of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal from Crystal Palace. Eze has been available all summer after a stellar 2024/25 season, which saw him help Palace to their first-ever major trophy when they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final with his goal.
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Eze has since helped his team win the Community Shield and has seen his profile rise higher and higher. In 43 appearances last season, he contributed 14 goals and 11 assists for his team. Eze has been linked with Arsenal all summer after the North London side looked to bolster their attack for a charge on the Premier League following three consecutive second-place finishes.
After signing Madueke, Zubimendi, Mosquera, and Gyökeres, Arsenal looked to be slowing their activity and observing what else was on the market.
In that time, Tottenham, who had been negotiating a £60m move for Eze, looked to close the deal yesterday. It was then reported that Arsenal’s forward Kai Havertz had suffered a new muscle injury, which could keep him out for a while.
Arsenal then turned their attentions to Eze again, who looked set for Tottenham after Crystal Palace had greenlit his move. Eze dramatically chose to join Arsenal instead after they were prepared to match Tottenham’s excess of £60m offer, forcing them to turn their attention elsewhere, according to transfer guru David Ornstein.
Crazy, right? Tottenham fans are not happy right now. It hurts even more losing Eze to their hot rivals. Let’s just say his next appearance against Tottenham will not be a pleasant one for him.
Is this the last hijack we’ll see in this transfer window? Don’t bet on it. With players like Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Guéhi, Alexander Isak, Rodrygo, and Yoane Wissa being tipped for moves to certain clubs, don’t be surprised if things don’t necessarily proceed that way. It’s the year of the HIJACK!
