Exclusive: Man City seriously considering Eberechi Eze transfer

Steve Kay

Updated: 7 Aug 2024 22:50 BST
4 min read

FootballTransfers understands that Manchester City are seriously considering matching Crystal Palace's asking price for Eberechie Eze.

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Pep Guardiola and company are sounding out the market in light of the impending club-record sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine will fetch Man City a handsome fee of up to €95 million, but his exit will also leave them light on forward options, with Erling Haaland the only recognised No.9.

However, there is no guarantee that the Cityzens will try to sign a like-for-like replacement for Alvarez. Indeed, we hear that the Premier League champions hold a concrete interest in several high-profile targets, none of whom are necessarily centre-forwards.

We are told that City are seriously considering making a move for Eberechi Eze before the transfer window closes. They have been linked with the 26-year-old for some time and could yet firm up their interest ahead of Deadline Day.

READ MORE: Latest Man City transfer news

Eze possible - Barcola, Neto admired

There appears to be some confusion about Eze's position and future at Crystal Palace. It has been widely reported that the England star has a release clause amounting to approximately €70m, but FootballTransfers previously revealed that this is not quite the truth.

Instead, there is a gentlemen's agreement between Eze and Palace which stipulates that he is allowed to leave the club for a sum in that €70m ballpark. Our reporting has since been confirmed by Sky Sports.

City, we are told, would be prepared to match that asking price, while Eze would expect the Eagles to honour their agreement if personal terms with his new employers were agreed.

A versatile player who can feature in midfield and all across the frontline, Eze would come in for Alvarez, while also serving as a replacement for former captain Ilkay Gundogan, with Matheus Nunes having struggled to fill his shoes.

Tottenham also hold a genuine interest in Eze, but talks with Palace have not led to a satisfactory conclusion and the deal has been stalling recently.

Spurs instead shifted their focus to Pedro Neto, a player we understand City are also big fans of. However, he is a much more traditional winger than Eze and Guardiola's side is already well-stocked in that department.

Lastly, we were told the surprising name of Bradley Barcola as a player who has come up at City internally. Guardiola and his recruitment team greatly admire the Frenchman and have been closely monitoring him for some time.

Whether a deal is realistic is a different question. PSG will be unwilling to sell, especially this late in the window, and City have already brought in Savio from sister club Troyes after a breakout season at Girona.

The upcoming January arrival of Argentine wonderkid Claudio Echeverri plays no part in their thinking about adding a new attacker this summer, though the 18-year-old is obviously very highly rated.

Academy youngster Nico O'Reilly is another offensive option that could play a minor role in replacing Alvarez. Sources have informed us that the 19-year-old will be kept in and around the first team more consistently going forward.