The maverick Aston Villa and Crystal Palace transfer swap deal that could ignite the summer window - opinion
Aston Villa are eager to snap up an in-demand Palace starm but his price tag may be out of their budget.
Aston Villa have their sights set on signing Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace this summer but it’s not going to be an easy deal to get over the line.
After a sensational season that saw the Eagles lift their first ever major trophy, the club are eager to keep their successful team in tact. Eze is unsurprisingly in high demand, especially after his goal was the jewel in the crown of Palace’s FA Cup final performance.
Oliver Glasner’s side value Eze highly but no player is without his price. Football Insider reported last month that despite the England international’s influence on the team, they would be willing to sell for the right fee.
Aston Villa interested in Eberechi Eze
With Aston Villa, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all credited with interest, Palace could be in for a busy and interesting window. The Football Insider report claims that the Eagles ‘will not stand in the way’ if Eze wants to leave this summer.
The club were left ‘surprised’ by the limited interest in the 26-year-old last summer. He has a release in place worth a reported £68 million but Palace could accept a lower figure if ‘favourable payment terms are presented’. Glasner is said to be keen to have funds readily available to rebuild his squad if necessary this summer.
It is unclear how much negotiating room Palace are allowing for an Eze departure but the full £68 million could be too much for Aston Villa to spend. The club could potentially throw in a sweetener to knock the cash value down further but either way, it’s more than likely Villa will be digging deep into their pockets if they want to sign Eze, as Palace will want to hand-select his replacement themselves.
Aston Villa could suggest player-swap deal with Crystal Palace
Villa have often sold to buy over the years, so adding a player into the mix to reduce costs wouldn’t be too hard a scenario to picture. Unai Emery’s side missed out on Champions League football this time round but only on goal difference as they fell behind Newcastle United in the Premier League standings. However, Villa continue to reach for the stars and are looking to turbocharge their efforts next season.
While they also look to offload players of their own, they could offer up the exit-linked Leon Bailey to tip the scales in their direction. While the winger has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, it has been reported that it’s still far from a sure thing, as a concrete decision is yet to be made on his next chapter.
While the cash involved in a Saudi move is naturally very tempting, Palace can offer Europa League football and an attractive move to London to stay in the Premier League and potentially get more regular playing time. Bailey had a mixed run of starts and substitute appearances last season as Emery often opted for others ahead of him. However, in the 2023/24 campaign, the Jamaican international showcased his ability with a stunning 14 goals and 14 assists for Villa.
Bailey is also incredibly versatile, which makes him another attractive target. The 27-year-old is predominantly a right-winger but he can also play on the left, as a centre-forward and in deeper roles as well.