Crystal Palace are set to test the waters with an opening bid for Queens Park Rangers talisman Eberechi Eze, according to West London Sport.
This England U21 international might not be the prolific number nine Roy Hodgson is crying out for, but a tired old Palace side would undoubtedly benefit from the thrust and youthful exuberance that only players like Eze can provide.
The one-time Millwall and Arsenal youngster is perhaps the most naturally gifted Englishman outside of the Premier League at present.
And after producing eight assists and 14 largely spectacular goals in the Championship, QPR’s inspirational number ten is all-but certain to be offered the chance to make a big step up the footballing ladder this summer.
West Ham, Tottenham and Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United have all been linked.
According to reports from West London, however, the first offer is set to come from Crystal Palace.
QPR want £20 million, though The Eagles are expected to make an opening bid in the region of £12 million – an offer which, in truth, is probably going to be tossed straight into the garbage.
It is no secret that Crystal Palace are hoping to reduce the average age of the Premier League’s oldest squad .
And, if a run of seven straight defeats after the re-start is anything to go by, this limping, battle-scarred side are desperate for an injection of youth and unpredictability, particularly in attacking areas.
Eze, an attacking midfielder capable of gliding past opponents before producing something out of nothing from the edge of the area, feels like exactly the kind of player Hodgson needs.
“There are no limits for Eze. Ebe is a tremendous talent. I want him to enjoy his football,” R’s boss Mark Warburton told QPR TV.
“He is a talented boy, is playing exceptionally well for us, scoring goals and I hope very much that he is playing with a smile on his face as well.”
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