MANCHESTER UNITED aim to fight with Tottenham for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze this summer, but they are far behind on the charm offensive.

Spurs appear to have the upper hand after Eze’s friends and family were sighted at his agency’s hospitality suite at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium near the end of last season.

Manchester United want to compete with Tottenham for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.

According to insiders, United’s new management intends to make the England international a marquee signing during their first summer window, and the player has a £60 million release clause.

United finished the season with a negative goal differential and only 57 goals, the joint lowest total in the Premier League’s top ten alongside Palace.

Despite being limited to 27 appearances owing to injuries, Eze scored 11 goals and provided four assists, and he has been linked with champions Manchester City.

The South Londoners do not want to lose Eze or Michael Olise, the team’s creative heart, who helped it finish strongly in 2023-24 under new manager Oliver Glasner.

United would also have to sell players before making a huge signing like Eze for £60 million, and they are still to decide on the future of manager Erik ten Hag.

Financially stable. Tottenham are one of the few Premier League clubs that can spend the summer without having to worry about meeting Profit and Sustainability Rules.

However, boss Ange Postecoglou has other areas for improvement and may be cautious to spend too much money on Eze.

CAA Base, the 25-year-old’s representatives, have long had solid connections at Spurs and represent current players such as Son Heung-Min and James Maddison, as well as Postecoglou.

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Base also has a hospitality box in the stadium.

Eze and his entourage attended both Palace’s March defeat and Tottenham’s penultimate home game of the season against Burnley.

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Chelsea has lined up a replacement for Conor Gallager, with Aston Villa the favourite to sign him.

Tosin Aradabioyo is on the verge of joining Chelsea for free.

Erik Ten Hag’s sacking decision will be taken in the following days after the performance evaluation.

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Spurs are looking for big name acquisitions to build on Postecoglou’s impressive debut as manager, which saw them finish fifth.

They have already signed wideman Timo Werner on loan with the option to buy, who will play in the same position as Eze in the Spurs system.

Tottenham, on the other hand, are eager to expand their lineup as they prepare to play in the Europa League.

They will also profit from the sales of Emerson Royal, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Djed Spence, and Joe Rodon, and would consider offers for Oliver Skipp and Richarlison.