Manchester City continued its dynastic run last season, lifting their fourth straight Premier League title, making the finals of the FA Cup for the second year in a row, and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
However, despite another successful campaign, the blue and white have been rumored to lose some key contributors, with no area suffering more than the midfield.
Bernardo Silva, despite signing a three-year contract extension last summer that runs through 2026, has been said to be seeking a new challenge and wants to move out of the Etihad. Kevin De Bruyne has been linked to both the MLS and the Saudi Pro League, but nothing definitive has happened with either league for the Belgium international.
While both are still on the roster for now, the Citizens have begun to prepare for a future without the pair of club legends and are eyeing a Crystal Palace midfielder.
Manchester City have interest in Eberechi Eze
According to Matt Hughes of The Sun, Manchester City is “willing to trigger” the £60 million ($76.8 million) release clause in the Crystal Palace contract of Eberechi Eze.
Eze was initially a target for the blue and white last summer before they struck a deal with Wolverhampton for Matheus Nunes. The 26-year-old is coming off a stellar league season, appearing in 27 matches, 24 of which he started while scoring 11 goals and registering four assists.
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Why would signing Eze make sense
Adding Eze would help bolster the Citizens’ attack. The English international is a tremendous passer, which could replace the void left by Silva while also making him an incredible scoring threat on his own.
In addition, Eze can defend and has the footwork and ability to quickly get around defenders, adding another consistent attacker to an already loaded blue-and-white attack.
The cost of exercising the release clause, while expensive, is fixed, which would prevent Crystal Palace from trying to extort more from Manchester City. Time will ultimately tell if Eze makes his way to the Etihad, but it would be an intriguing move for Pep Guardiola’s squad.
