Aston Villa transfer latest as links with Crystal Palace favourite Eberechi Eze emerge again in the summer window
Aston Villa have been linked with Eberechi Eze again – but it’ll cost them, and any other suitors with Manchester United also said to be interested, a pretty penny to coax him away from Crystal Palace.
Eze has been away representing England this summer, coming off the back of the most successful season of his career to date; not only did he enjoy excellent form in front of goal and deliver 25 goal contributions, but he also netted the winner in the final against Manchester City at Wembley as Palace won the FA Cup last month.
With Michael Olise having moved onto pastures new last summer, when he joined Bayern Munich, it was anticipated that Eze would field similar interest, only to end up remaining Selhurst Park.
There are reports that Eze, who cost Palace £17m when he joined from Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers, has a release clause of £68m and is eager to leave the club this summer in order to test himself at an even higher level – though Palace did, of course, bank Europa League football by winning the FA Cup, albeit there is currently red tape involved in their participation at the moment.
Palace chairman Steve Parish couldn’t believe the lack of interest in Eze, who has two years remaining on his contract with the South London club, before the season began, while the transfer window was still open.
“I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael and Ebbs in the same window and we didn’t have in Ebbs the interest that I thought we would have,” Parish told Sky Sports News.
“I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy’s just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He’s a gift to any football club. I don’t think any Crystal Palace supporter would mind the fact that Ebbs would want to play at the highest level. He’s playing regularly for England.
“It was great for the club we didn’t lose him, but we understand that, in time, maybe somebody will come in. I’ve been his biggest fan. Ebbs is still here and it’s great for the football club, but I was surprised that that’s what happened.”
Everyday, the BirminghamLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Aston Villa content.
Our dedicated reporter John Townley – who you can follow on X by clicking here – follows Villa home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.
So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur – that’s why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you’ll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. Sign up to the Villa newsletter here.
