Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze will once again be at the centre of transfer speculation next summer, as his £68 million ($89m) release clause is set to reactivate.
This clause, which consists of an initial £60 million fee and an additional £8 million in potential add-ons, expired before the current Premier League season but will come back into play at the end of this campaign.
Eze signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Crystal Palace in November 2022, which included this release clause.
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Palace open to negotiations despite fixed clause
Despite the potential for a big-money move, no club activated the clause this summer, leaving the talented forward at Selhurst Park for at least one more season. However, it’s expected that interest from top Premier League clubs, including Tottenham and Newcastle, will reignite when the clause reactivates.
Palace chairman Steve Parish expressed his surprise that no club met Eze’s release clause earlier this summer. “I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy's just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person,” Parish told Sky Sports.
His comments highlight the high regard in which Eze is held at the club but also suggest that Palace might be willing to negotiate if the right offer comes along next summer.
Eze has been a key player for Palace since joining from Queens Park Rangers in 2020, becoming one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Premier League. His performances have also earned him a spot in the England national team, where he featured in three of England’s seven matches at Euro 2024.
With Eze continuing to shine under manager Oliver Glasner, it’s clear that the 26-year-old will remain a hot commodity.
Palace have already shown their ability to develop and sell young talent, as evidenced by Michael Olise’s £50 million ($65.5m) move to Bayern Munich this past July.
While the club will aim to maximize Eze’s value, they may also consider offers below the release clause if it helps fulfil the player’s ambitions.
As Eze continues to impress on the pitch, the speculation surrounding his future is only set to grow, especially as his release clause reactivates next summer.