Liverpool

Man city set block Liverpool transfer bid for Crystal palace rated midfielder

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1 year ago

August 23, 2023

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Man City considering move for Eberechi Eze as Crystal Palace asking price confirmed

Manchester City are considering a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, it has been claimed.

According to Mail Sport, City are weighing up a move for the one cap England international after a deal to land Lucas Paqueta collapsed late last week.

The Palace midfielder has reportedly been on City’s radar for the last six months with senior scouts having been left heavily impressed by his control of games for the south Londoners.

City are still looking for a midfielder upon the betting allegations levelled at Paqueta, who had been set to leave West Ham United for a fee in the region of £85million.

Eze, who won his first England cap back in June, has reportedly attracted interest from across the Premier League, after his stellar form under Roy Hodgson at the end of last season. Indeed, Liverpool are among those that have been linked with the Palace star in the past few months.

Eberechi Eze - Player profile 23/24 | Transfermarkt

And according to Sport Mail, City have insisted all simmer that they have merely retained a watching brief of the 25-year-old. Indeed, it remains to be seen whether the Paqueta development will see the Treble winners formalise interest in the player.

Having retained the service of Michael Olise last week despite interest from Chelsea, Palace are reportedly expected to demand north of £70million from any potential suitors for Eze, with the summer window set to shut next week.

However 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 Olise’s contract renewal that it would take an “extraordinary offer” to persuade them to sell any existing players.

Pep Guardiola’s side are without Kevin De Bruyne until the new year through injury, with club eager for another body.

Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and James McAtee can all play in the two spots behind Erling Haaland.

City had been on the hunt for an Ilkay Gundogan replacement even before De Bruyne’s injury.

Chelsea stunned as Michael Olise signs new long-term deal with Crystal Palace

Chelsea target Michael Olise has signed a new four-year contract with Crystal Palace.

Palace chairman Steve Parish confirmed Olise had committed to a new four-year contract at Palace on his social media.

The news comes days after it was claimed Chelsea had activated a £35million release clause in Olise’s previous Palace deal.

It had been widely reported that the Blues were expected to sign the 22-year-old in the coming days, with the player reportedly having come to an agreement with the Blues.

Olise is currently sidelines having torn his hamstring at the European Under-21 Championship, which could reportedly prevent him from playing until the end of September.

In a tweet Parish said: “I’m absolutely delighted to announce @m.olise has decided to commit his future to Crystal Palace football club and this afternoon signed a new four year deal with the club.

“@m.olise is an [Eagle.]”

Olise’s potential departure would have been critical for Palace’s season. The club lost their talisman Wilfried Zaha earlier in the summer, with the Ivory Coast international having opted to join Galatasaray on a free transfer in pursuit of Champions League football over extending his time at Palace.

The side’s creative burden will now fall to Olise and team-mate Eberechi Eze.

Speaking last week on the eve of the new Premier League season, Roy Hodgson admitted he was unsure whether Olise would remain at the club this summer adding that the forward’s future is “totally out of my hands”.

Treble winners Manchester City were also said to have been interested in Olise, who was involved in 13 Premier League goals last season after providing 11 assists and netting twice. Olise’s form last term saw him win the Palace players’ Player of the Season award.

Upon Olise signing the new contract, Hodgson told the club website: “It’s the best possible news we could have. I had been concerned – it’s always concerning when a club of Chelsea’s stature take interest in a player, and people will suggest that a move to them might be the best bet.

“I had always hoped that wouldn’t be the case and that Michael would realise that at such a young age his future here is very bright, and we can help him move very quickly on to another level.

“I am delighted for the club, and I must congratulate Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman on the fantastic job they have done in persuading him that, even though there was pressure from outside, ‘this is your place and this is where we think you will progress in the right way and develop in the right way’.”