Manchester City will reportedly consider a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze after walking away from a deal to sign West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta.
Pep Guardiola is hoping to recruit a new midfielder before the summer transfer window closes on September 1 following the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona and injury suffered by Kevin De Bruyne.
The Citizens had identified Brazil international Paqueta as one of their top targets and they were allegedly close to agreeing an £80m deal with West Ham.
However, Man City have decided to walk away from negotiations with the Hammers as Paqueta is currently being investigated by FIFA and the Football Association over alleged betting breaches.
It is understood that the treble winners may reignite their interest in Paqueta, who has denied any wrongdoing, during the January transfer window, but they have decided to move onto other targets this summer.
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According to the Daily Mail, Man City are weighing up a possible summer swoop for Palace star Eze, who has been on the club's radar for the last six months.
The report adds that senior City scouts have been left impressed by how the 25-year-old has taken control of games for the Eagles.
A potential bid from the Citizens would likely test Palace's resolve considering that the midfielder only has two years remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park.
However, it is understood that Palace could demand in excess of £70m for Eze, who the Eagles signed from Queens Park Rangers for around £17m in the summer of 2020.
Eze, who has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, has made a total of 95 appearances across all competitions since joining Palace, scoring 15 goals and registering 11 assists.
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The one-cap England international ended the 2022-23 campaign as Palace's top scorer, netting 10 times in the Premier League as well as chipping in with four assists to help Roy Hodgson's side climb away from danger and finish in 11th place.
Palace are keen to keep hold of Eze having already seen Wilfried Zaha depart this summer, while they have successfully fended off interest from Chelsea and Man City to retain the services of winger Michael Olise, who recently penned a new four-year deal.
Man City have also been credited with an interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Matheus Nunes, who only moved to Molineux last summer from Sporting Lisbon for a then club-record £38m.
Meanwhile, the Citizens are closing in on the signing of Rennes winger Jeremy Doku, who is in the United Kingdom to undergo his medical ahead of completing a £55.5m transfer to the Etihad Stadium.
Oliver Thomas
