Pep Guardiola (R) and Oliver Glasner during the FA Cup final at Wembley.placeholder image
Pep Guardiola (R) and Oliver Glasner during the FA Cup final at Wembley. | AFP via Getty Images
Manchester City and Crystal Palace both have major issues to solve this summer.
It was less than two months ago that Manchester City and Crystal Palace took to the stage at Wembley to face off in the FA Cup final, on what would become arguably the most famous day in Palace’s history.
City have since licked their wounds after that 1-0 defeat, finishing in the Champions League places then making strong early signings ahead of the Club World Cup. Now, they could return to face Palace, this time on the negotiating table.
The Eagles have faced their own struggles in recent weeks - their admission into the Europa League still hangs in the balance and the futures of key players such as Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi could depend on the decision.
The pair could leave regardless of European competition, with Guehi entering the final year of his deal and Eze a target for Champions League clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Pep Guardiola’s City could yet make a return to negotiations.
Manchester City and Crystal Palace should consider massive swap deal
City have been interested in Eze in the past - as far back as 2023 - and could yet return to make a swoop for the England international in a swap deal which would solve one of their own problems.
Jack Grealish needs to leave this summer for his own good and the club’s, as he was left out of the Citizens’ Club World Cup squad and is unlikely to be given a chance if he sticks around next season. Grealish has had an inconsistent time in Manchester to say the least, but could yet find a home elsewhere in the Premier League. His qualities are well known, he just needs the right place to show them once again.
That could well be Selhurst Park, where he could become one of the key players in a high-energy, exciting brand of football which would give Grealish the freedom to express himself like he did at former club Aston Villa. Guardiola has arguably taken all the joy out of watching Grealish play football with his highly focused, rigid tactics - Grealish used to be a player fans would tune in to watch showcase his talents. Box office footballers are few and far between, and the England international rekindling his career would delight Palace fans and neutrals alike.
Eberechi Eze and Jack Grealish swap deal could solve three problems
The first problem this deal would resolve is the speculation surrounding Eze’s future. Palace would like to keep their talisman but must also be aware that he is likely to leave at some point - and his current release clause of £68m is likely the highest price they will ever get, becoming a club-record sale in the process. If Eze’s parting gift is that winning goal in the FA Cup final, he will depart South London having given fans memories which will last a lifetime.
Of course, City would solve the issue of what to do with £100m man Grealish. But they would also be sorting Palace with a direct replacement for Eze within the deal, meaning they will not need to go searching for a suitable replacement on the transfer market when very few exist. All parties will truly be happy with this move.
The only question would surround where Eze would fit in at City amongst players such as Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki, but Guardiola has always found a way to balance players’ minutes across competitions and he will surely continue to do so. With Eze’s release clause set at £68m and Grealish reportedly valued at £40m by City, an offer of £28m plus Grealish for Eze could seal the deal.
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