West Bromwich Albion are battling Aston Villa for the signature of Queens Park Rangers talisman Eberechi Eze after the Baggies were promoted back to the Premier League, according to The Guardian.
Right until the final knockings of the 2019/20 season, it felt like only a matter of time before one Midland giant replaced another in the top-flight of English football.
But thanks to a Houdini-esque escape act to rival that of West Brom’s back in 2005, Aston Villa will reunited once again with their rivals from down the M6.
And the first battle between two lifelong foes looks set to take place in the boardroom rather than the football pitch.
The Guardian reports that, alongside Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and West Ham, the Villans and the Baggies have joined the ever-growing queue up clubs pitching up tents outside of Loftus Road.
Eze, the loping, languid playmaker, has done the legendary Stan Bowles proud in QPR’s number ten shirt, adding a ruthless streak to the dazzling potential that makes him one of the most naturally gifted footballers in the entire Football League.
The 22-year-old scored his 14th goal of a superb individual campaign against West Brom no less, whipping a Beckham-esque shot into the top corner during last week’s 2-2 final day draw.
QPR are demanding £20 million, meaning the Baggies would have to shatter their transfer record to bring Eze to the Hawthorns.
The similarities between the London-born schemer and a certain Jack Grealish, meanwhile, will not be lost on Aston Villa fans.
But if their homegrown hero has played his final game in Villa colours, a stunning left-footed drive to secure Premier League survival against West Ham certainly represents going out on a high.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
