Manchester City will potentially be having a big summer in 2025, but they may now face competition from Manchester United over one target.
It remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola will still be Manchester City manager, amid speculation over his future.
Of course, as things currently stand, the Spaniard will be leaving on the expiry of his contract.
One man who will definitely be leaving is director of football Txiki Begiristain. He’s moving on, and will be replaced by Hugo Viana.
It will be fascinating to see what Viana does in his first summer at the club, and whether he might look at targets that were reportedly on Begiristain’s list.
Reportedly, one such player has been Eberechi Eze.
But Manchester City could now face competition from neighbours Manchester United.
Man United now eyeing long-term Man City target Ebere Eze
According to Football Transfers, Manchester United are now looking at signing Ebere Eze next summer.
The star has impressed for a fair while now at Crystal Palace, and is arguably their talisman.
United have been closely monitoring the Eagles star, but the Red Devils will apparently need to sanction one big sale before they can go for him. Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are both suggested as possible outgoings.
Eze is a player Manchester City admire.
| Ebere Eze for Crystal Palace (all competitions) |
| Appearances – 133 |
| Goals – 29 |
| Assists – 18 |
Interest was first expressed in the summer of 2023, but Man City opted to sign Matheus Nunes over Eze in the end.
In the summer just gone, there was more speculation. Apparently at one point, City were seriously considering a move for Eze and meeting his £60 million release clause.
It will be fascinating to see if the Manchester clubs both make attempts to sign him next summer.
At the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Eze will have been at Selhurst Park for four years.
Phil Foden is a big fan of Eze
With Kevin De Bruyne’s future at Man City in doubt, it would be good for the club to keep tabs on Eze for the rest of the season.
Eze is a different profile of player in that he’s more of a ball-carrier than De Bruyne, but he is certainly a top-class attacking midfielder.
It would be fantastic if City beat United to the star, and one man who’d likely be very pleased with the signing is Phil Foden, who knows Eze fairly well these days from England duty.
Speaking earlier this year, Foden said of Eze: “I just think he’s unbelievable the way he controls the ball it’s everything about him the way he moves on it and someone I rate really highly.”
United are crying out for some quality in their midfield and Eze would undoubtedly improve them dramatically.
We will see if City do decide to finally act on their long-term interest and trigger that £60 million release clause or try and negotiate with Palace.
