Bayern Munich’s summer transfer plans have taken a new turn.
After failing to secure Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, the German giants are now reportedly setting their sights on Crystal Palace’s attacking midfielder, Eberechi Eze.
Wirtz, who had been a top target for Bayern, seems to be heading to Liverpool instead.
Reports out of Germany say that Wirtz himself told Bayern’s management he wants to take on a fresh challenge outside the Bundesliga after five solid years in Leverkusen’s first team.
This development has forced Bayern to look for other options to bolster their squad.
Eze Emerges as Bayern’s Next Transfer Target
Eberechi Eze has now climbed to the top of Bayern’s wishlist.
The 26-year-old’s release clause is reportedly around £60 million, with potential add-ons bringing the total closer to £68 million, according to The Mirror.
Given this price tag, Bayern would have to make a significant investment to bring Eze to Germany.
Interestingly, Bayern’s relationship with Crystal Palace seems positive.
The two clubs recently agreed on a big deal last summer for Michael Olise, who happens to be a close friend of Eze.
That successful transfer could smooth the path for negotiations this summer.
Other Names on Bayern’s Radar
Besides Eze, Bayern is also keeping tabs on Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and AC Milan’s Raphael Leao.
It looks like the club is keen to strengthen their attacking options from several different angles, exploring a few possibilities beyond just Eze.
Palace’s Desire to Keep Their Star Player
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are eager to keep hold of Eze.
He recently played a pivotal role in their stunning FA Cup final victory over Manchester City by scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win, a moment that only raised his profile further.
Eze’s journey to this point has been impressive.
After developing in various English football academies, he made his senior debut with Queens Park Rangers back in 2016.
He spent a brief loan period at Wycombe Wanderers before eventually moving to Palace at the start of this decade.
Eze’s Rising Career and England Debut
Since joining Crystal Palace, Eze has become a key player for the Eagles, racking up 165 appearances and netting 39 goals.
He earned his first senior call-up for England in 2023 and was part of Gareth Southgate’s squad that reached the Euro 2024 final last year.
In 2023, Eze signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract extension with Palace, which will keep him at the club until summer 2027.
This puts Palace in a strong negotiating position if Bayern or any other club comes knocking.