Manchester City Pursuing 72 Million Pound England Midfielder as Potential Replacement for Kevin De Bruyne: Source
Unleashing a New Playmaker: Manchester City's Pursuit of Ebere Eze
Manchester City, reeling from Kevin De Bruyne's departure, is eyeing a fresh face to bolster their midfield. The departing Belgian maestro, ranked 6th on our site's list of Premier League's all-time greats, announced his exit from the Etihad after a decade-long stint, racking up six titles, a Champions League, and over a hundred goals.
Despite Phil Foden's potential, City seems set on securing another top-tier talent. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is on a mission to snatch the Premier League title from Liverpool, and a revamped squad is on the agenda.
With key players like Ederson, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and John Stones over 30, it's evident that youth will be injected into the squad, whether some 'old heads' decide to leave or not.
Manchester City's £72m Wish List Includes Ebere Eze
As Guardiola prepares for squad revamp, Ebere Eze of Crystal Palace has caught his eye. The Spaniard is reportedly keen on Eze, with Palace willing to open talks for the 26-year-old Londoner at €80 million.
Originating from Arsenal's academy, Eze's career path has been far from linear, having been cut loose by Arsenal, Fulham, and Millwall before breaking through at QPR and eventually Crystal Palace. His perseverance and skill have made him a standout player at Selhurst Park, earning him the 2024 PFA Player of the Year award.
Despite Palace's business model centered on big-money sales, the opportunity for Eze to move on to bigger pastures could present itself if an attractive offer lands on the table.
Is Eze the Man City Need?
While Crystal Palace baulks at the price tag, City reportedly sees it as a bargain. Our insider intel suggests Morgan Gibbs-White is a more likely target, given Guardiola's preference for building an English core. With homegrown players top of mind, City might be turning to the likes of Gibbs-White this summer.
As news emerges that Florian Wirtz has no appetite for a move to the Premier League, City's hopes of signing the German prodigy have been squashed. With Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the pursuit, it seems Wirtz won't be stepping into De Bruyne's shoes after all.
Transfermarkt values Eze at €55m. City faces Southampton in the Premier League's return, and speculation surrounding new arrivals won't die down anytime soon. Stay tuned for updates!
[1] Enrichment Data: Eberechi Eze is an English midfielder standing at 1.78 meters. Wearing the number 10 shirt for Crystal Palace, Eze has scored 34 goals and provided 23 assists in 146 Premier League appearances as of the 2024-25 season. Despite multiple rejections at youth levels, Eze rose to prominence at Crystal Palace, becoming a key player and scoring the winning goal in their first FA Cup title. He showcases a strong shooting accuracy (34%) and invigorating offensive performances, creating big chances for teammates.
[2] Enrichment Data: Eze's professional journey demonstrates resilience and determination. Born in South London, he was released from youth systems at Arsenal, Fulham, and Millwall before eventually signing for QPR and later Crystal Palace. He has been a crucial player for Palace, notably scoring the winning goal in their first FA Cup victory.
[3] Enrichment Data: Statistically, Eze is an agile attacking midfielder with a tackle success rate of 54% and 153 tackles to his name. Apart from his offensive prowess, he is a creative force on the pitch, boasting a shooting accuracy of 34% and creating 31 big chances.
[4] Enrichment Data: Off the pitch, Eze recently celebrated a traditional wedding ceremony in London, marking a significant personal milestone.
[5] Enrichment Data: As a potential transfer target for Manchester City, Eze offers creativity, goal threat, and a proven track record in England's top flight, making him a valuable addition to the midfield position for a club seeking to strengthen its attacking options.
Manchester City's pursuit of Ebere Eze suggests that they are scouring European-leagues for a new midfield talent, with the Premier League being no exception. The English midfielder, currently playing for Crystal Palace, has caught the eye of City manager Pep Guardiola, having shown impressive form in the league, earning him the 2024 PFA Player of the Year award.