Manchester City were reportedly interested in Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze this summer, and a transfer could happen sooner rather than later.
Manchester City could soon have another opportunity to sign Eberechi Eze, as a hidden release clause in his contract is set to reactivate.
Pep Guardiola’s side showed interest in the Crystal Palace forward this summer, but no deal was made. Instead of making a bid for the England international, City opted to sign Brazilian winger Savinho from Troyes.
Eze’s contract reportedly includes a £68m release clause, which consists of a £60m initial fee plus £8m in add-ons. However, this clause expired when the 26-year-old remained at Selhurst Park, meaning any interested clubs would now need to negotiate directly with Palace for a potential move in January. Yet, this situation could change in a year.
According to MailOnline, Eze’s release clause will become active again next summer, keeping the same value. It’s also suggested that Crystal Palace could be open to negotiating an even lower price.
Eze is contracted to Palace until 2027, and club chairman Steve Parish recently expressed surprise over the lack of interest in the player during the recent transfer window. “I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael and Ebbs in the same window, and we didn’t have in Ebbs the interest that I thought we would have,” he told Sky Sports News. “I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy’s just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person.”
Eze, who joined Palace from Queens Park Rangers in 2020, has scored 28 goals in 128 appearances for the club. If he does leave, he would join a list of recent departures, including French winger Michael Olise, who moved to Bayern Munich for £50m earlier this summer, and Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard, who went to Leicester City.
In what could be a positive sign for Manchester City, Parish has indicated he is open to dealing with Champions League clubs. “We’re proud of the fact that Michael Olise’s gone to Bayern Munich,” he said. “We want to be selling to the top clubs, or to clubs like Newcastle who’ve got great aspirations and have recently been in the Champions League. So we have to manage all of those things. We won’t get really great young talent to come to us if they think they’re going to be stuck.”
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