Manchester City are poised to launch an ambitious transfer bid for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze immediately following Saturday’s FA Cup final showdown between the two clubs, according to recent reports. The reigning Premier League champions, who have endured a challenging season by their lofty standards, view the England international as a potential replacement for the departing Kevin De Bruyne and are prepared to trigger the player’s surprisingly modest £60 million release clause.
The 2024/25 campaign has represented something of a transitional period for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Currently sitting fourth in the Premier League table following a disappointing goalless draw against Southampton last weekend, City have failed to maintain the remarkable consistency that saw them clinch four consecutive league titles between 2020 and 2024.
Despite investing heavily during the January transfer window—spending close to £200 million on four new signings, including Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt—City have struggled to replicate their dominating form of previous seasons. A particularly concerning mid-season slump threatened to derail their campaign entirely, though they have since recovered and remain unbeaten since early March when they suffered a defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Saturday’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace represents City’s final opportunity to secure silverware this season. Victory at Wembley would deliver Guardiola’s third FA Cup triumph with the club and mark his 19th trophy during his remarkable tenure at the Etihad Stadium. However, regardless of the outcome, significant changes to the playing squad appear inevitable this summer.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Manchester City have identified Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze as a primary transfer target. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has been monitored by City’s recruitment team for several seasons, with his creative flair, technical ability, and goal-scoring prowess making him an ideal candidate to refresh City’s aging midfield.
The upcoming FA Cup final will essentially serve as an audition for Eze, with City reportedly ready to formalize their interest with an official bid should the Palace star impress at Wembley. This season, Eze has contributed 12 goals and 11 assists across all competitions under manager Oliver Glasner, further enhancing his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most exciting attacking talents.
What makes this potential transfer particularly intriguing is the revelation of a £60 million release clause in Eze’s contract. The England international signed an extension at Selhurst Park in 2023, committing himself to the club until 2027. However, this surprisingly reasonable escape clause could trigger a scramble for his signature this summer, with Liverpool, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur all reportedly monitoring the situation.
Crystal Palace had initially valued their prized asset at approximately £70 million, but the existence of this release clause potentially places them in a vulnerable position regarding one of their most influential players. For City, who are accustomed to paying premium prices for established talent, the £60 million figure represents relative value in today’s inflated transfer market.
Manchester City’s interest in Eze comes amid growing speculation surrounding the future of Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian maestro, who has been instrumental in City’s domestic dominance during the Guardiola era, appears increasingly likely to depart the Etihad this summer, with lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and the United States reportedly on the table.
At 33 years old, De Bruyne’s anticipated exit represents the beginning of a significant period of transition for City’s midfield department. Other key figures such as İlkay Gündoğan and Bernardo Silva are also approaching the latter stages of their careers, necessitating a proactive approach to squad rebuilding.
While Eze lacks De Bruyne’s unparalleled passing range and creative vision, his dynamism, ability to carry the ball through congested areas, and end product make him an attractive proposition. The Palace star’s versatility is another appealing attribute—capable of operating as a traditional number ten, from either flank, or in a deeper midfield role, he would provide Guardiola with various tactical options.
City’s technical director Txiki Begiristain and his recruitment team are understood to have compiled extensive data and scouting reports on Eze over multiple seasons. The consensus view within the club is that the former Queens Park Rangers player possesses both the technical quality and mentality required to thrive under Guardiola’s demanding management style.
While Eze appears to be City’s preferred target to reinforce their creative midfield options, the club is pursuing multiple candidates simultaneously. Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz remains at the top of their wishlist following his exceptional campaign under Xabi Alonso, during which the German international has been instrumental in Leverkusen’s Bundesliga triumph.
However, securing Wirtz’s signature presents significant challenges. The 22-year-old’s reported price tag exceeds £100 million, and fierce competition from other European giants—including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich—complicates negotiations. Additionally, Leverkusen’s qualification for next season’s Champions League strengthens their position in resisting offers for their prized asset.
City are also monitoring Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, whose outstanding performances have helped secure European qualification for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this season. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective creators, contributing seven goals and eleven assists in domestic competition.
Forest’s strong financial position, bolstered by their European qualification, means they are under no pressure to sell their talisman. Reports suggest they would demand a fee in the region of £70-80 million to part with Gibbs-White, significantly higher than Eze’s release clause.
Manchester City’s transfer strategy reflects a broader recognition within the club that squad regeneration is essential to maintaining their status among Europe’s elite. The remarkable success achieved during Guardiola’s reign has been built upon a core group of players who are now approaching or already in their thirties.
Beyond De Bruyne’s expected departure, City must also prepare for life after other key figures such as Kyle Walker (34), John Stones (30), and even Rodri (27), whose influential performances have rendered him almost irreplaceable in City’s midfield engine room. The January acquisition of Brazilian teenager Savinho represented an investment in the club’s future, but more immediate reinforcements are required to remain competitive at the highest level.
Eze, at 26, represents an ideal balance—experienced enough to make an immediate impact yet young enough to offer several years at his peak level. His Premier League experience eliminates the adaptation period often required by players arriving from foreign leagues, potentially allowing him to hit the ground running should he complete a move to the Etihad.
Manchester City’s transfer business this summer will inevitably be conducted against the backdrop of their ongoing legal battle with the Premier League regarding alleged breaches of financial regulations. The club faces 115 charges related to financial misconduct, with a resolution to this complex case still pending.
This situation does not preclude City from making significant investments in the transfer market, but it does necessitate a more strategic approach. The £60 million release clause in Eze’s contract represents a relatively modest outlay for a club of City’s resources, especially when compared to the extravagant fees likely to be demanded for alternatives such as Wirtz or Gibbs-White.
City’s wage structure also presents no obstacle to securing Eze’s services. The potential departure of De Bruyne, one of the club’s highest earners, would free up substantial resources to accommodate the England international’s salary demands, which are expected to be considerably lower than those commanded by established Etihad stars
Saturday’s FA Cup final now carries additional significance beyond the obvious prize of silverware. For Eze, the occasion represents an opportunity to showcase his abilities against the very club pursuing his signature. A standout performance at Wembley could accelerate City’s plans to trigger his release clause, potentially initiating a transfer saga that dominates the early weeks of the summer window.
From Palace’s perspective, the potential loss of Eze would represent a significant blow to Oliver Glasner’s plans. However, the £60 million fee would provide substantial resources for reinvestment in the squad. The Eagles have demonstrated their ability to identify and develop exciting attacking talent in recent years, with Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta emerging as potential stars in their own right.
For Guardiola and City, the FA Cup final offers an opportunity to salvage something tangible from a disappointing campaign. Yet regardless of Saturday’s outcome, the club’s hierarchy has clearly identified the need for squad rejuvenation as their priority heading into the summer months.
As Manchester City prepare for their Wembley showdown with Crystal Palace, the transfer narrative surrounding Eberechi Eze adds an intriguing subplot to an already compelling encounter. Should City proceed with their reported interest and trigger the midfielder’s £60 millionxm release clause, it would signal the beginning of a significant rebuild aimed at restoring their domestic supremacy.
The potential acquisition of Eze would represent both a strategic investment in City’s future and an acknowledgment that the extraordinary team assembled by Guardiola requires fresh impetus. As one era potentially closes with De Bruyne’s departure, another could begin with the arrival of Palace’s creative catalyst.
For Eze himself, the prospect of working under Guardiola’s guidance while competing for the game’s biggest prizes presents an opportunity too compelling to ignore. Saturday’s FA Cup final may well determine not just which team lifts the trophy but also the trajectory of one of English football’s most exciting talents.
