‘Aston Villa set sights on Eberechi Eze agreement after green light’
Aston Villa have set their sights on a move to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, according to their former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Villa have been keeping a close eye on the 26-year-old this season.
However, Unai Emery will make the final decision about whether to pursue Eze as they will first pursue priority targets in other positions.
Villa are looking to bolster their attacking options after Football Insider revealed Ollie Watkins, Marco Asensio and Morgan Rogers‘ futures are uncertain.
Eze ticks a lot of boxes for Emery’s side and has impressed with his recent performances, including in the FA Cup semi-final when Palace beat Villa 3-0.
However, they will face stiff competition for his signature as Brown told Football Insider that Man United and Liverpool want to sign Eze this summer.
Aston Villa to make Eberechi Eze transfer decision
The Crystal Palace star has a £60million release clause in his deal at Selhurst Park, and the Eagles are not willing to accept offers below that fee for their star man.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has explained Villa will only pursue Eze if they lose key players in attacking positions.
“Aston Villa have been looking at a deal for Eberechi Eze,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s got talent that very few players have got at this level, and his performance at Wembley will have done him no harm.
“He ticks a lot of boxes for Villa at his best, and if they can get him in the right situation he could be a difference-maker, but if they can’t then I’m not sure.
“Emery will make a decision about whether he’s going to add to what they’ve already got.
“Tielemans and Rogers are key players in that midfield, then they’ve got Kamara sitting behind them, and he’s not the same type of wide player as somebody like Rashford.
“So where does Eze fit in with all of that? That will be for the manager to decide.
“If they’re going to lose Rashford and people like Marco Asensio and perhaps even Rogers, then Eze will certainly be an option for them.
“At the moment, though, they have other priorities which will be addressed first.“
Kevin de Bruyne update emerges at Villa Park
Another attacking midfield player who has been linked with a move to Villa Park this summer is Kevin de Bruyne, who is set to leave Man City on a free transfer.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 1 May that Villa are exploring a deal for De Bruyne as an alternative to Asensio.
Villa believe signing the Man City star on a free transfer could be a better deal than the fee and wages needed to lure Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Brown told Football Insider that De Bruyne must take a pay cut if he wants to join Villa, which has placed a stumbling block in the way of the deal.
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