Man City Targets Eberechi Eze After Failed Paqueta Deal

Manchester City is considering a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, according to reports.

The one-cap England international has been on City’s radar for the last six months, with senior scouts having been left impressed by his control of games for the south Londoners. City is still looking for a midfielder after a deal to land Lucas Paqueta collapsed last week.

Eze has attracted interest from across the Premier League, including Liverpool, after his stellar form under Roy Hodgson at the end of last season. However, the Palace is reportedly expected to demand north of £70 million from any potential suitors for Eze, with the summer window set to shut next week.

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City had been hunting for an Ilkay Gundogan replacement before Kevin De Bruyne‘s injury. With De Bruyne out until the new year, City is eager to add another body to their midfield. Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and James McAtee can all play in the two spots behind Erling Haaland.

Eze won his first England cap in June and has been a key player for Crystal Palace since his arrival from QPR in 2020. He scored 14 goals in 46 appearances in the Sky Bet Championship for QPR last season. Palace agreed to a £16 million fee with QPR for Eze in a deal that could rise to £20 million. The additional £4 million are achievable add-ons, with QPR also having a 20% sell-on clause built into the agreement.

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It remains to be seen whether City will formalize their interest in Eze, but a bid would test Palace’s resolve, with the player having just two years remaining on his deal.

Eagles chairman Steve Parish told Sky Sports upon Michael Olise’s contract renewal that it would take an “extraordinary offer” to persuade them to sell any existing players.

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