Man Utd switch focus to Mason Mount alternative as familair problem set to

Reports claim Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze is now on the radar of Manchester United after their pursuit of Chelsea star Mason Mount hit the buffers.

United chief Erik ten Hag has been hoping to lure Mount to Old Trafford after it became clear he would leave Chelsea. The England midfielder has just one year left on his Stamford Bridge contract. And, rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer, the Blues are hoping to cash in during the current transfer window.

The Portsmouth-born ace seemed happy to join United but there is a sticking point over his price tag.

United are said to have offered £40m while Chelsea want in the region of £70m. That is a sizeable gap and one that is unlikely to be bridged.

Reports suggest the north-west giants will return with an improved bid of £50m in the near future.

But that may well be turned down as well, with Chelsea needing to raise as much cash as possible for their own recruitment.

With that in mind, it could be that Manchester United officials turn their attentions elsewhere.

And, according to journalist Steve Bates, their gaze is now on south London.

Eze enjoyed his breakthrough season with Palace. The Greenwich-born ace featured in all 38 of the Eagles’ top-flight games, starting on 30 occasions.

He scored ten goals and was rewarded for his efforts with an England call-up.

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The former England Under-21 ace made his senior debut as the Three Lions beat Malta 4-0 in a Euro 2023 qualifier on June 16.

He played the last 20 minutes of that contest after replacing James Maddison.

Eze on United radar as Mount proves difficult to land

Eze first came to prominence in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers.

He notched 20 goals from 112 appearances in all competitions before moving across the capital to Selhurst Park.

The attacking midfielder has enjoyed 93 outings for Palace, bagging 15 goals.

He has two years left on his current Eagles deal and is a firm fans’ favourite.

Discussed on Give Me Sport, it seems as though the 24-year-old is under consideration by the United hierarchy.

But they are not the only club to have shown an interest in Eze. Newcastle United have been mentioned in connection with the player.

And former England skipper Rio Ferdinand urged Arsenal to consider signing him as a replacement from Granit Xhaka.

Xhaka looks set to join Bayer Leverkusen, meaning the Gunners need a replacement in the centre of the park.

And even the great John Barnes has had his say on the player, urging Liverpool to make a move this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain are also known to be admirers of the Londoner and it seems as though he has the footballing world at his feet.

Palace will not want to lose him especially if Wilfried Zaha opts for a Middle East move.

But the lure of Old Trafford might be tough to ignore if United do firm up their interest.

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