Phil Foden (L) is a big fan of Eberechi Eze (R), as are Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United are planning a move for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze – a player Phil Foden recently labelled “unbelievable”. Despite spending £180million on five new additions over the summer, United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to have no intention of tightening the purse strings any time soon.
It’s understood that the club want to sign a new defender, a new midfielder and a new winger in 2025, with 26-year-old Eze one of the names high on their wishlist. The Palace ace has a £68m release clause in his contract that can be activated in 2025, and according to Manchester Evening News, United are monitoring him ahead of a potential move next summer.
They’re likely to face competition for his signature though, particularly since Tottenham and Arsenal were heavily linked with him last month. And judging by Foden’s recent comments, Manchester City might fancy an approach themselves.
Speaking in a video uploaded to the England national team’s official YouTube channel, the newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year heaped praise on Eze. “I just think he [Eze] is unbelievable the way he controls the ball it’s everything about him the way he moves on it and someone I rate really highly,” he said.
Despite interest from clubs across the country, Palace didn’t receive a formal offer for Eze over the summer – a fact that baffled club chairman Steve Parish. “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,” he told Sky Sports.
“I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy’s just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person.”
Eberechi Eze has been turning heads for the past two years (Image: Getty Images)
Eze has chalked up more than 120 appearances since moving to Selhurst Park from QPR in 2020. He’s been a key player for the club ever since he joined, though his form in the last couple of season has been particularly impressive.
He made his England debut in 2023, and was selected in the Three Lions Euro 2024 squad, but played only a limited role due to the fierce competition from players like Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning to spend big again in 2025 (Image: Getty)
In addition to Eze, United are reportedly set to renew their pursuit of Jarrad Branthwaite after having bids of £43m and £50m turned down by Everton in the summer. Despite the subsequent signings of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, it’s believed that the Manchester club are still keen to bolster their defensive ranks, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all tipped to leave soon.
United are also expected to be on the hunt for a central midfielder next year, especially given the uncertain futures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, who both turn 33 in February. Ratcliffe is eager to inject some youth into the squad, just as he’s done with summer additions Yoro and Manuel Ugarte.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1946166/Phil-Foden-Sir-Jim-Ratcliffe-Man-Utd-transfers-Eberechi-Eze