Crystal Palace have won the £14million race for QPR starlet Eberichi Eze.
Eagles’ boss Roy Hodgson beat off West Brom’s late bid for the England Under-21 attacking midfielder after Fulham pulled out of the hunt.
Eberichi Eze will join Crystal Palace for £14millionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Having tracked Eze since the January transfer window, Palace at first offered £8m for the 22-year-old, who has been tipped to progress to the Three Lions’ senior team by QPR director Les Ferdinand.
But the bidding war hotted up after Eze made it clear he wanted to step up from the Championship to the Premier League.
And despite newly-promoted West Brom making a dramatic late move to top Palace’s offer, he stated his preference for Selhurst Park, where he played as a junior.
Fulham’s interest faded once the price soared.
And Cottagers’ boss Scott Parker will now use the money saved to target Southampton’s Harrison Reed.
The former England Under-20 midfielder helped Fulham return to the top flight while on loan last season.
Meanwhile, Palace are looking to boost Hodgson’s squad still further.
Their wishlist includes two strikers, Watford’s Ismaila Sarr and Celtic’s in-demand Frenchman Odsonne Edouard.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
