Tottenham handed fresh transfer boost over £68m target as club fall in 'love' with replacement
Tottenham have received a potential boost in their bid to land a long-term target this summer.
Tottenham may have the cue they need to press ahead with an attempt to sign reported transfer target Eberechi Eze this summer. Eze has an interesting few weeks ahead of him as he contemplates leaving Crystal Palace after firing them to an FA Cup win and European qualification.
The England international has been attracting attention for over a year at this point, and it’s expected he will make a step up to a bigger club ahead of the new season. Eze is said to have a release clause worth around £68million, and Palace could well demand that fee, boosted by the financial gain of European football.
Tottenham and Manchester United are said to be the two main contenders for Eze this summer, and in a potential boost for both sides, it is now being reported that palace are eyeing a replacement for Eze. Fabrizio Romano told GiveMeSport: “They have some players they are considering. Then some targets are not so easy.
“For example, what I’m hearing is that the player they love internally is [Dan] Ndoye at Bologna. This is a winger who did fantastically in Serie A, but at the moment, the player is in advanced talks over personal terms with Napoli. There is also some interest from Germany.”
Ndoye scored eight and provided four assists in 30 appearances for Bologna last season, and he is valued at £29.8million by Transfermarkt. Though, Bologna are likely to demand more. Palace are likely to be able to afford the deal either way, with Eze and potentially Marc Guehi on their way out this summer.
The news is positive for Tottenham and United, who will view Palace’s search for an Eze replacement as an indication that they are expected to lose the attacker.
Eze was heavily linked with a move away from palace last summer, but interest was not forthcoming. Palace chief Steve Parish told Sky Sports at the time: “I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael and Ebs in the same window. We didn't have in Ebs the interest that I thought we would have. I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy's just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He’s a gift to any football club.
“I don’t think any Crystal Palace supported would mind that fact that at some point Ebs wants to play at the highest level. He’s playing regularly for England, back in the squad again which we’re so proud about. Ebs is still here and it’s great for the football club. I was surprised that that’s what happened.”
Tottenham have a long-standing interest in Eze, but it’s unclear where he would fit in under Thomas Frank, with James Maddison the usual go-to in the number 10 position. It would be extremely bold of Frank to play two numbers 10s, but if he does sign Eze and doesn’t go with two 10s, either Maddison or Eze would miss out or have to play out of their best position.
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