Man City title chances played down unless they complete one blockbuster transfer

Manchester City have been told that they aren’t guaranteed to win the Premier League title this season unless they snap up Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. City have won the top-flight title six times during Pep Guardiola’s eight-year stint at the Etihad and have lifted the trophy in each of the last four seasons.

Eze has become one of the best attacking players in the Premier League in recent years and sparkled last season as the Eagles enjoyed a resurgence under Oliver Glasner.

The 26-year-old, who was part of the England squad at Euro 2024, bagged 11 goals and four assists in 27 Premier League appearances as Palace finished 10th.

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin was asked about the Citizens’ Premier League title hopes as he spoke to the In The Zone podcast. And the Scot explained: “Obviously [Julian] Alvarez is gone, that’s a big thing. I think that’s freed up a little bit of money.

“Now, any Crystal Palace fans listening, get your fingers in your ears. [Michael] Olise has gone to Bayern Munich but Eze is a better player. And Eze, for me, at any of the top clubs, revolutionises them.

“Any of the top four, five, six clubs, they’re far better teams when they’ve got Eze on their team. Manchester City made a bit of a bid last season. They won’t forget him.

“His numbers last season were fabulous. Last couple of seasons for Eze have been incredible. He was a one in four, one in five scorer. Remember, creation is his thing. Last season, the season before, numbers were through the roof. If you said to me, Man City plus Eze, yeah [they will win the title]. Man City without Eze. Maybe.”

City have held a long-term interest in Eze, with reports last month suggesting the north west giants may have to stump up £68m for the ace.

Guardiola’s side launched an 11th-hour bid to get their hands on the creative genius on deadline day last summer but were thwarted in their endeavours as they couldn’t meet Palace’s transfer demands.

But they may be able to finally get a deal over the line in the coming weeks thanks to the £81.5m they will receive from Atletico Madrid in return for Alvarez.

Atletico completed the signing of the 2022 World Cup winner on Monday afternoon after the striker had bagged 36 goals and 103 appearances for City.

According to the BBC, Atletico will pay an initial £64.4m for Alvarez, with a further £17.1m expected in add-ons.