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Manchester City 'identify Eberechi Eze as Lucas Paqueta alternative'

Man City 'identify Eberechi Eze as Lucas Paqueta alternative'
© Reuters
Manchester City are reportedly considering a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze after walking away from a deal to sign West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta.

Manchester City will reportedly consider a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze after walking away from a deal to sign West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta.

Pep Guardiola is hoping to recruit a new midfielder before the summer transfer window closes on September 1 following the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona and injury suffered by Kevin De Bruyne.

The Citizens had identified Brazil international Paqueta as one of their top targets and they were allegedly close to agreeing an £80m deal with West Ham.

However, Man City have decided to walk away from negotiations with the Hammers as Paqueta is currently being investigated by FIFA and the Football Association over alleged betting breaches.

It is understood that the treble winners may reignite their interest in Paqueta, who has denied any wrongdoing, during the January transfer window, but they have decided to move onto other targets this summer.

Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze celebrates an own goal scored by Leicester City's Daniel Iversen on April 1, 2023© Reuters

According to the Daily Mail, Man City are weighing up a possible summer swoop for Palace star Eze, who has been on the club's radar for the last six months.

The report adds that senior City scouts have been left impressed by how the 25-year-old has taken control of games for the Eagles.

A potential bid from the Citizens would likely test Palace's resolve considering that the midfielder only has two years remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park.

However, it is understood that Palace could demand in excess of £70m for Eze, who the Eagles signed from Queens Park Rangers for around £17m in the summer of 2020.

Eze, who has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, has made a total of 95 appearances across all competitions since joining Palace, scoring 15 goals and registering 11 assists.

Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring their third goal with Cheick Doucoure on July 19, 2023© Reuters

The one-cap England international ended the 2022-23 campaign as Palace's top scorer, netting 10 times in the Premier League as well as chipping in with four assists to help Roy Hodgson's side climb away from danger and finish in 11th place.

Palace are keen to keep hold of Eze having already seen Wilfried Zaha depart this summer, while they have successfully fended off interest from Chelsea and Man City to retain the services of winger Michael Olise, who recently penned a new four-year deal.

Man City have also been credited with an interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Matheus Nunes, who only moved to Molineux last summer from Sporting Lisbon for a then club-record £38m.

Meanwhile, the Citizens are closing in on the signing of Rennes winger Jeremy Doku, who is in the United Kingdom to undergo his medical ahead of completing a £55.5m transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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