Eagles make it Eze for Roy
CRYSTAL PALACE have backed Roy Hodgson with the £19.5m signing of QPR forward Eberechi Eze – the biggest transfer of the former England manager’s Selhurst Park reign.
The South London club saw off competition from West Ham, Fulham and West Brom to sign the England Under-21 striker who has signed a five-year contract.
But Eze is not seen as a replacement for Wilfried Zaha who has yet to attract any offers in this window.
Palace finished the last campaign with seven consecutive defeats before a final-day draw with Tottenham to raise questions over Hodgson’s future.
They needed to rejuvenate an ageing squad and Eze, 22, scored 14 Championship goals and provided eight assists last season.
He is the Eagles’ second signing of the summer after defender Nathan Ferguson, 19, from West Brom.
The former Millwall trainee, who can play as a No.10, said: “It’s a brilliant opportunity.
“The style of football they want to play suits me, it’s perfect for me.”
Palace first enquired about Eze in January and had two offers rejected before agreeing to pay about £15m up front with another potential £4.5m in add-ons.
“Eberechi is a player whose development we have followed closely,” said chairman Steve Parish.
“We are delighted he has chosen to sign for us over the other clubs that were interested and we feel that this is the right club for him to continue his development.”
Zaha sacked his representative after failing to secure a move last year – Palace turned down offers from Everton – and appointed super agent Pini Zahavi.
Palace are still prepared to sell the Ivory Coast winger who is under contract until 2023.
The price was £80m last summer but they are now likely to accept £50-60m for a player who turns 28 in November.
Zaha wants to move to play Champions League football and the transfer window remains open until October 5.
His preferred destination, Arsenal, bought Nicolas Pepe last year and have just signed Willian so that option appears off the table.