Manchester City plans to hijack top signing from Tottenham

Rumors are still buzzing about Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, with both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly eyeing him up.

According to The Athletic, City have chatted informally about a possible move for the England star, but they haven’t made a concrete offer just yet.

Eze, who has been a standout performer for Palace, is also rumored to be a target for Tottenham. The link between Eze and Spurs persists, with recent reports from GiveMeSport suggesting that both Tottenham and Chelsea are keeping a close eye on the midfielder’s situation.

The Athletic points out that Manchester City has been eyeing Eze for a while, even thinking about making a move for him last summer.

Recent discussions between City and Palace, although informal, indicate that the Premier League champions are contemplating a serious bid. However, City’s pursuit is described as part of a broader scouting effort, with the club exploring various options for their attacking needs.

Manchester City plans to hijack top signing from Tottenham

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, remains optimistic about retaining Eze, largely due to the player’s release clause. The clause is reportedly set at an initial £60 million, with an additional £8 million in potential add-ons.

This substantial fee may deter potential suitors, particularly given the recent high-profile acquisitions made by other clubs.

For Tottenham, the challenge of competing with Manchester City for Eze’s signature is compounded by their recent spending spree.

The North London club has already invested £65 million in signing Dominic Solanke and another £40 million in Archie Gray. Given this outlay, committing an additional £68 million for Eze might be a stretch.

City's hesitation and Tottenham's budget issues might leave room for other clubs to jump in. Whether Eze will stay at Palace or land a big move is still up in the air, but it's clear he's a hot commodity as the transfer window wraps up.