Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost in their rumoured interest in Eberechi Eze, with the player reportedly stating he wants a new challenge in 2025.
The England international remained at Crystal Palace this summer, despite strong links to the three aforementioned clubs, and a £68m release clause in Eze's contract that could have been matched, but no club opted to meet it, and the 26-year-old stayed put.
This season has not been as fruitful for the attacking midfielder, as he still has just one Premier League goal to his name, after failing to make much of an impact in their 2-1 defeat away to Everton on Saturday.
That means Palace remain winless after six league games, and a failure to compete for the European places could accelerate Eze's demands to leave.
A release clause in Eze's contract is expected to be reactivated in 2025, and could put clubs on red alert in January.
![England's Eberechi Eze on June 20, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/eberechi-eze.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "England's Eberechi Eze on June 20, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Eze ready for a new challenge away from Selhurst Park?
Despite a relatively slow start to the season, interest in Eze is likely to be high when the window reopens in the new year.
Football Insider claim that Eze is ready to move on in pursuit of a new challenge come the new year after five seasons with the Eagles.
Eze contributed to 17 league goals in 31 games last season, earning him a place in England's Euro 2024 squad, and he made three appearances at the finals under Gareth Southgate.
Liverpool added Federico Chiesa to their ranks to bolster their attack this summer, but could enter the market again to keep tabs with those at the top.
After losing Julian Alvarez, and with rumours that Kevin De Bruyne could be on his way out at the end of the season, Man City may also be keeping a close eye on the Palace man.
Spurs spent big over the summer, but none of their recent additions have the same profile as Eze, meaning if they can compete in the market, their hat may be thrown into the ring again soon too.
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Would Palace be willing to let Eze depart?
While no club would want to lose their key players, Palace chairman Steve Parish raised a few eyebrows with comments he made about both Eze, and the now-departed Michael Olise early in September.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Parish said of Olise's move to Bayern: "We're proud he's gone to a top club. Our goal is to be selling to top clubs and playing in the Champions League, but we're not there yet."
Regarding Eze, Parish also seemed to be quite open to letting the England international leave in similar circumstances, should a big, Champions League club come in for him.
"We didn't have in Ebs [Eze], the interest I thought we would have [from other clubs]. I was astounded." Parish revealed.
Those words suggest that when the window reopens in January, if Palace's valuation is met, Eze may be allowed to move on.
Andrew Delaney
