Crystal Palace reportedly had an Eberechi Eze replacement lined up as they were 'convinced' the Manchester United and City-linked player would leave.
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Eze linked with Man Utd and Man CityEnded up staying at Crystal PalaceLined up a deal for Eze's replacementWHAT HAPPENED?
According to the Daily Mail, United, City, and Tottenham expressed an interest in the England international this summer. The Eagles were reportedly so convinced the 26-year-old would leave, they lined up a deal for PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko. No such moves materialised and Eze stayed put at Selhurst Park.
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The report added that Eze had a £68 million ($89.6m) release clause over the summer, although it elapsed on August 16. It will reportedly re-open next year when Palace are 'open' to softening their stance on the former Queens Park Rangers star. They are said to be willing to negotiate on a price to facilitate his ambition to play regular European football.
WHAT STEVE PARISH SAID
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted he was "astounded" by the lack of interest in Eze this summer.
He told Sky Sports News this week: "I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael [Olise] and Ebbs [Eze] in the same window and we didn't have in Ebbs the interest that I thought we would have. I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy's just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person."
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Eze, whose contract at Palace runs until 2027, is currently with the England squad ahead of their Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. It seems just a matter of time before the attacking midfielder gets his big-money move out of the Eagles.