Manchester United Eye Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze as Mason Mount Pursuit Stalls

19 June, 2023

Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze has caught the attention of Manchester United, who are considering him as an alternative to their primary target, Mason Mount. As reported by Ben Jacobs, United’s pursuit of Mount has hit a roadblock with Chelsea rejecting their initial offer of £40 million. The Blues value their academy graduate at around £70 million, but United are unwilling to exceed £60 million in their bid.

With negotiations at a standstill, Manchester United are now exploring other options, and Eberechi Eze has emerged as a potential candidate. Give Me Sport suggests that United have been monitoring the Crystal Palace star since Christmas, as manager Erik ten Hag is keen on bolstering his midfield’s goal-scoring capabilities for the upcoming season. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.

Eze had an impressive campaign with Crystal Palace, contributing significantly to their 11th-place finish in the Premier League. The 24-year-old midfielder found the back of the net 10 times in 38 Premier League appearances, outscoring all of United’s midfield options except for Bruno Fernandes. Eze also demonstrated his playmaking abilities by providing four assists throughout the season.

According to Transfermarkt, Eze’s market value stands at €30 million, making him a potentially more cost-effective option compared to Mason Mount. United’s interest in Eze suggests that they believe he can fill the void left by Mount in their midfield, should Chelsea refuse to budge on their valuation.

Meanwhile, the situation remains uncertain for Mason Mount and Chelsea. The Blues face the risk of losing their talented midfielder on a free transfer next summer as Mount has expressed his unwillingness to sign a contract extension with the club. The ball is now in Chelsea’s court to decide whether they are willing to negotiate further or risk losing their prized asset.

Eberechi Eze’s recent achievements extend beyond club football, as he made his international debut for England in a Euro 2024 qualifier clash against Malta. In the match, the midfielder came on as a substitute for James Maddison in the second half, contributing to England’s resounding 4-0 victory.

As Manchester United continue their pursuit of Mason Mount, the interest in Eberechi Eze highlights the club’s determination to strengthen their midfield. With Eze’s proven goal-scoring ability and playmaking skills, he could prove to be an excellent alternative should negotiations with Chelsea fail to materialize. The upcoming days will reveal whether Manchester United can secure their preferred midfield target or if they will shift their focus to acquiring Eze to bolster their squad for the upcoming season. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.