Crystal Palace have made a concrete move to sign Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis as a replacement for Eberechi Eze, amid the latter's anticipated exit.
David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Tzolis has emerged as the latest candidate to replace Eze, who is heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. The English attacker is set to face Chelsea on Sunday (August 17), but it seems likely he'll be heading to North London.
Palace are already in the market for replacements and are prepared to look outside the Premier League. Tzolis' stock has grown in the Belgian Pro League, but he is familiar with English football.
Crystal Palace Make Tzolis Approach As Possible Eze Replacement
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Eze has long been one of the Eagles' standout performers and netted the winner in their 1-0 victory against Manchester City in last season's FA Cup final. Steve Parish was shocked that there hadn't been interest shown in the England international last summer, but that certainly is no longer the case.
While the 27-year-old is set to appear in the season opener against Chelsea, he could then be on the move before the window closes on September 1. The South Londoners have already targeted Leicester City's Bilal El Khannouss as a possible replacement and reportedly "agreed personal terms" with the 21-year-old.
Ornstein gave an update on the situation and revealed that Tzolis has joined El Khannouss on Palace's shortlist:
"Crystal Palace approach Club Brugge for Christos Tzolis as option (like El Khannouss) to replace Eze. Offer rejected but plan to raise bid and also talking to 23-year-old's camp. Recently signed new deal so (Club Brugge) not keen to sell."
Tzolis, dubbed "phenomenal", has been with Brugge since last summer when he arrived from German outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf, and he's immediately caught the eye at Jan Breydel Stadium. He's managed 24 goals and 18 assists in 63 games across competitions, boasting impressive speed and physicality.
The 23-year-old previously spent time at Norwich City, although much of his Carrow Road spell included loans at FC Twente and Dusseldorf. He's a Greek international who has already earned 24 caps and usually operates on the left wing, but can play on the right and centrally.
Oliver Glasner will want an immediate replacement for Eze because the games come thick and fast for his troops. The FA Cup and Community Shield winners have conceded defeat in their battle against UEFA.
Palace will play Europa Conference League football instead of the Europa League, which means they enter the play-offs for the European competition starting against Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad FK on Thursday (August 21). This comes three days before hosting Nottingham Forest in the league and that could be without Eze.
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