Manchester City were not too busy in the 2024 summer transfer window – but it will likely be a very different story next year.
Manchester City only made two signings in the window just gone. Savinho came in from Troyes, while Ilkay Gundogan returned on a free transfer after just one season at Barcelona.
Ultimately, after briefly toying with the idea of replacing Julian Alvarez directly, Pep Guardiola decided he was relatively happy with what he had going into the new season.
A lot of things are going to happen between now and next summer. City are set to learn the outcome of the case against them with regards to potential breaches of financial rules, and we will also see what Pep decides to do in terms of his future.
But it could certainly be a much busier window, and it’ll be interesting to see if City push for one player they have admired for quite a while, with a new claim being made about him today.
Man City target Eberechi Eze to cost £68m next summer with release clause re-activating
Manchester City are known to fans of Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace.
The club showed interest in him in the summer of 2023, but ultimately decided to sign Matheus Nunes from Wolves.
The player has remained on City’s radar since, and some consideration was given to making an approach for him this summer.
But again City did not move – and neither did anyone else, which came as a real surprise to Eagles co-owner and chairman Steve Parish.
Many have tipped City to spend big on an attacking midfielder next summer, and City now know how much they will need to spend to sign Eze.
According to the Daily Mail, the England international’s release clause that expired on August 16 will actually re-activate next summer. Said clause is thought to be set at £68 million (made up of an initial £60 million, plus £8 million in add-ons).
City could move for Eze
So Eze will again have a £68 million release clause next summer and it will be really interesting to see if City decided to finally act on their interest.
It is very possible that Kevin De Bruyne will move on at the end of the current season, after a lot of speculation linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer.
The Belgian is set for talks with the club soon.
Nunes could also be an outgoing if he doesn’t drastically improve this term and get more minutes at the Etihad Stadium.
One would expect City to try and sign a midfielder would can compete with and cover for Rodri. But Eze – who was branded ‘unbelievable’ by Phil Foden earlier this summer – will surely be on their radar too given how talented he is.
By next summer, unless he somehow leaves in January 2025, Eze will have been at Palace for five years. He will be just about to start his prime and it does feel like there’s a reasonable chance he will finally leave Selhurst Park.
