Following the collapse of a deal to sign Lucas Paqueta, Manchester City are weighing up moves for Eberechi Eze and Matheus Nunes.
Mail Sport learnt that Eze, the Crystal Palace midfielder, has been on City’s radar for the last six months after senior scouts were left heavily impressed by his control of games for the Eagles.
The Treble winners are still looking for a midfielder given the dramatic betting allegations levelled at Paqueta, who had been ready to leave West Ham United for around £85million.
And Wolves’ Nunes – a standout performer during their recent defeat at Manchester United – has emerged as another target.
Pep Guardiola lavished the Portugal international with praise after City faced Sporting in the Champions League a year ago before he then made the switch to Molineux for £38m. The 24-year-old’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is currently organising Joao Cancelo’s departure from City to Barcelona.
Eze, handed a first England cap by Gareth Southgate in June, has been attracting interest from across the Premier League following a stellar couple of years at Selhurst Park.
City sources have insisted all summer that they have merely retained a watching brief of the 25-year-old, and it remains to be seen whether the Paqueta developments see them formalise interest.
Palace are expected to demand north of £70m from any potential suitors with the transfer window set to shut next week. Eze does, however, only have two years remaining on his current contract and any possible bid will likely test Palace’s resolve.
Guardiola – recuperating in Barcelona after back surgery – is without Kevin De Bruyne until the new year through injury and is keen for another body.