Newcastle United 'eye' bold transfer for dazzling Premier League midfielder with intriguing release clause

Newcastle United have reportedly joined Manchester United and Aston Villa in the race to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, according to reports.

The Magpies are currently searching for another winger to enhance their attacking options after a failed move for Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga on deadline day, and are believed to be admirers of Eze after a string of consistent performances for the Eagles in the Premier League.

Newcastle currently have Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes battling it out for a place on the left hand side of the front three but are keen to sign a player to bolster the existing right-sided options of Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron.

Though primarily deployed as a central attacking midfield playmaker, Eze is a player that is capable of playing on either wing. He is naturally right footed but has thrived for England in a number of different positions as an impact substitute in Euro 2024.

Eze started his career at Queens Park Rangers and made a name for himself during the 2019/20 Championship campaign when he struck 14 goals and eight assists from midfield to earn a place in the PFA Team of the Season. A £12m transfer to Crystal Palace soon followed and he has since emerged as an instrumental part of the team with 27 goals in 115 top-flight appearances, with the bulk of those coming in the last two seasons.

Last year was Eze’s best to date with 11 goals and four assists in 27 appearances during Palace’s best ever Premier League campaign. The 26-year-old’s pace and seamless ability to beat defenders has caught the attention of Europe’s elite, but Palace as Newcastle are more than aware of with Marc Guehi are known for driving a hard bargain and are reluctant to let him go on the cheap.

However, Manchester Evening News understands crucially with Eze as opposed to Guehi, has a £68m release clause in his contract, which comes into effect at the start of next summer. The Magpies are believed to be monitoring the situation closely as they continue to try to assemble a team that can return to the Champions League after last term’s seventh place finish.