Manchester United are preparing an offer for one of their top targets from a fellow Premier League club. While many had their attention focused on Michael Olise at Crystal Palace last season, the performances of Eberechi Eze went unnoticed compared to his French teammate. Olise headed out the exit door to Bayern Munich last season, and now it appears Eze could be next to leave the Eagles.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Red Devils are preparing an offer for the English winger as a priority target this summer. That £50 million offer would fall short of the West London club’s £60 million valuation of their player, who is highly sought after, with United’s rivals also keeping tabs on the situation.
Manchester United’s struggles under Ruben Amorim.
Since the arrival of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, things have not exactly improved for the side. In his first 13 games as Manchester United manager, the Portuguese manager lost more games (seven) than in his last 75 as Sporting manager, with six losses. Part of the problem for the side has been their inability to adjust to the high-tempo football, which is largely possession-based, that Amorim plays.
Coming in part way through the season did not help the case for Amorim, whose Sporting side beat Manchester City in his final Champions League game in charge. However, a transfer window has taken place, and not many signings were made that would improve the squad, as two senior players headed out on loan. The Red Devils occupy 13th in the Premier League, three points behind Palace.
Manchester United could be the right destination for Eze.
After a dismal start, the pressure has only been piled on for the manager, who admitted so after their loss to Nottingham Forest. That saw Nuno Esperito Santo’s side complete a league double over United this season. Defenders seemed more threatening in the final third of the pitch than the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who represent more than £100 million between the two of them in transfer fees.
It is safe to assume that United will most likely be looking at wide options in the transfer market this summer. Both Marcus Rashford and Antony disappointed for the club in recent times, but the pair have been thriving during their time out on loan away from Old Trafford since January. Anthony Elanga only highlighted the problem in United’s attacking department, which left fans ruing the club’s decision to sell the winger after his 85-metre solo run to score against his former club. With that problem on display for all to see at the Forest Ground, it makes sense that they are looking at attacking options, and a player like Eze would be an option to help fix those problems.
No player for Amorim’s side has reached double figures for goals in the league this season, with Bruno Fernandes leading the way with eight goals. The Portuguese midfielder needs support in attack, but there are other areas in need of improvement through the transfer market, such as the ageing midfield that includes Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Eze has seven goals and nine assists for club and country this season, and a move to a top side can only help him develop as a player. Performances for their loan clubs could only mean that Rashford and Antony are two players they have on their minds to sell this summer. There are plenty of problems that need fixing at Manchester United, and it would not be a complete fix, but Eze could represent a step in the right direction and a player for Amorim to build around.