Man City transfer news: Citizens have 'long-standing admiration' for £68m Kevin De Bruyne replacement

The Citizens were credited with an interest in the 26-year-old towards the end of last summer as they explored the transfer market to find replacements for Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.

Pep Guardiola's side eventually splashed the cash on Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes after they allegedly failed with a £60m bid for Eze on the final day of the transfer window.

Eze went on to establish himself as a standout performer for Crystal Palace in the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 11 goals and registering six assists in 31 appearances across all competitions.

The versatile midfielder, who can operate centrally or on either flank, was rewarded for his impressive performances at club level with a call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024.

Man City weighing up move for long-term target Eze?

Eze featured three times as a substitute for the Three Lions, who lost in the final to Spain, and after a post-Euro 2024 break, he will soon shift his focus back to club duty, with Palace heading to the United States for their pre-season tour.

Palace's No.10 was strongly linked with a possible exit from Selhurst Park prior to his involvement at Euro 2024, and since the tournament has finished, he continues to be tipped with a big-money transfer elsewhere.

The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been credited with an interest in the midfielder this summer, as have Premier League champion Man City.

According to The Mirror, the Citizens have a 'long-standing admiration' for Eze and are particularly impressed by his low maintenance temperament and his ability to play in a variety of different positions.

The report adds that Man City are considering a move Eze, who has three years left on his Palace contract that includes a £60m release plus add-ons, increasing his value to around £68m.

Eze in, De Bruyne out at Man City?

Man City's interest in Eze comes at a time when star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is facing an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium having now entered the final year of his contract.

The 33-year-old is the longest-serving player with Guardiola's current squad having spent the last nine seasons at the club recording 102 goals and 170 assists in 382 games as well as winning a total of 16 trophies.

There have recently been conflicting reports about De Bruyne and a potential move to Saudi Arabia, with it now understood that the Belgium international is yet to agree terms to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.

Nevertheless, Al Ittihad are thought to be pushing to complete the statement signing of the playmaker, who has previously admitted that he may find it difficult to turn down a big-money contract offer from the Middle East having now entered the latter stages of his career.

De Bruyne has not been included in Man City's initial pre-season squad ahead of their tour of the United States, but he is expected to link up with Guardiola's side due course.