Manchester United have received a boost after learning that Crystal Palace offensive midfielder and target Eberechi Eze has turned down a new contract at Selhurst Park, according to reports.

Is Eberechi Eze departing Crystal Palace?

The Premier League playmaker joined Roy Hodgson’s side from QPR in 2020 and has since made a total of 93 senior appearances, but despite having another two years on his contract, there is a chance he will leave before the end of the current transfer window.

The England international, who made his professional debut under Gareth Southgate last month, firmly established himself as the Eagles’ best-performing player last season, with a WhoScored match rating of 7.02, and his steady performance has brought him to the attention of Erik ten Hag.

When writing for GiveMeSport in June, freelance football writer Steve Bates reported that the Red Devils had the 23-year-old under review since Christmas and initially earmarked Eze as an alternative to Mason Mount, and while that move did eventually happen, chiefs have continued to monitor the talisman in SE25.

Are Manchester United signing Eberechi Eze?

According to TEAMtalk, Eze has “turned down the chance” to sign a new deal with Crystal Palace, despite interest from Manchester United.

Selhurst Park chiefs are eager to tie down their prized asset for the foreseeable future, but it’s said that he has “rejected” the opportunity to sign new terms, which has sent a “alert” to the M16 side, who are named as a “potential suitor”.

Ten Hag’s interest is “unlikely” to have passed despite obtaining Mount’s signature, and it appears that making a swoop now “looks more viable than it otherwise would have been” given the player’s desire to maybe begin a new journey elsewhere.

How good is Eberechi Eze?

Eze’s refusal to commit his future to Crystal Palace is a significant boost for Ten Hag, who will now be in a better position to make a bid for his target, and the attacking midfielder, termed a “magic” player by former teammate Christian Benteke, is a unique talent.

The Eagles’ £30k-per-week earner made 14 goal contributions (ten goals and four assists) in 38 Premier League matches last season, earning four Man of the Match awards from WhoScored, but he was also a threat in the final third.

The Greenwich-born talent ranked in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons and had a total of 70 shots during the campaign, the highest tally in his squad, according to FBref, indicating that he enjoys dribbling past his marker and taking aim at the opposing goalkeeper.

Furthermore, Eze is represented by the same agency – CAA Base Ltd – as Raphael Varane, so his current relationship to the club might potentially aid United during negotiations, given they have had past dealings should they try to close a move in the coming weeks.