Manchester City poised to make late move for Premier League superstar in £60 million transfer conversation

Officials at Manchester City are reportedly poised to make a late approach to sign Crystal Palace and England international, Eberechi Eze this summer.

The 26-year-old has attracted admiration from the Etihad Stadium for over 12 months now, with the Premier League champions having first considered an approach for the player during the previous summer transfer window.

In light of Ilkay Gundogan’s exit to FC Barcelona on a free transfer, and Kevin De Bruyne undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury, Pep Guardiola was left short in creative positions in the centre of the park for the first-half of last season.

However, despite interest in the abilities of Eze, City ultimately turned to Wolverhampton Wanderers and completed a deal for Portugal international Matheus Nunes, having admired his ability to cover ground across midfield and perform in defensive and offensive positions.

Having experienced struggles to bring Nunes to the levels required to perform consistently under Pep Guardiola however, Manchester City could return to the market this summer for the player they almost approached over a move 12 months ago.

That is according to the information of TEAMtalk, who claim that Manchester City sources are ‘anticipating some late moves’ at the Etihad Stadium, with one player ‘very much in the discussions’ and liked by manager Pep Guardiola in particular.

That name is Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, who has reportedly been discussed internally at Manchester City, with ‘serious consideration’ ongoing over the potential of a late approach for the England international.

It is explained that the player is ‘liked a lot’ by Pep Guardiola and has been ‘green-lit’ as a top target by the Manchester City manager, whilst those within the Etihad Stadium reportedly believe the 26-year-old is open to the move.

Unfortunately for City, there is unlikely to be any chance of a bargain when it comes to the Selhurst Park star, with the report quoting a transfer fee of £60 million to even engage in conversation over a potential deal.

Eberechi Eze is not the only player within Oliver Glasner’s squad to be attracting admiration and praise from within the Etihad Stadium, with Adam Wharton also understood to be a player of interest to both Txiki Begiristain and Pep Guardiola.

Given the Englishman only joined Palace from Blackburn Rovers at the end of the January transfer window, it remains unlikely that a deal could be done this summer. And even so, the player is likely to command at least triple the investment issued by Crystal Palace bosses.

Crystal Palace will be hesitant to sell either player this summer anyway, having already sanctioned an exit for Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, and continuing to converse with Newcastle United over central defender Marc Guehi.