Eberechi Eze: Pundit issues £45m-plus transfer claim as Newcastle United raid reported
Newcastle United would have to smash their transfer record to stand any chance of signing Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Eagles will demand a mega-money figure to sell the 23-year-old this summer.
As reported by the Sun on Thursday (17 February), Newcastle are plotting a £45million bid for the playmaker after failing in their efforts to sign him last month.
The proposed figure would break the £40million spent on record signing Joelinton.
It would also trump the prospective £41.5million Bruno Guimaraes could reportedly cost with add-ons.
However, Whelan suggested Palace would demand even more to consider cashing in.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Right now, he’s a Crystal Palace player. Patrick Vieira is trying to build a side with youth for longevity, not to sell them.
“He’s very fresh into the Crystal Palace outfit, he’s had a couple of injuries as well this season. I’d very much doubt that £45million will tempt Crystal Palace to uproot what they’re trying to build.
“He’s a very good young player, he was a standout in the Championship. He has proven already what a good player he will be if he stays fit and you can get him through a full season.
“Will Crystal Palace break what they’re trying to build? I very much doubt it. It will look like a setback and look like a weakness for Crystal Palace if they sell a player like that, at that age and at that price.
“I think Patrick Vieira will be very against selling these players. He’s trying to build longevity for three, four or five seasons at Crystal Palace. They’ve just shipped out probably about 13 players.
“They’re rebuilding and Patrick Vieira will not want to sell one of their youngest stars.”
Eze joined Palace for a reported £17million in 2020 and has a contract until 2025.
He has played just seven times this season after suffering an Achilles tendon problem late last term.
In other news, pundit claims Kieran Trippier injury blow could have been even worse for Newcastle United.