An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze…

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, PIF are confident that they will be able to strike a deal to sign the midfielder for £45m at the end of the season.

The report claims that they attempted to land him on loan with an option to buy for £35 in January and were met with a firm refusal. However, they now believe that they can reach an agreement with Palace ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Howe would love him

Howe would love Eze at St. James’ Park as he could play a huge role in changing the style of play at the club. His technical ability in the middle of the park could allow Newcastle to transition further into a possession-based team, as he has the quality needed to take the ball on the half-turn and open up the play to make things happen.

Former Premier League forward and QPR chief Les Ferdinand previously showered the youngster with praise, saying: “If you look at his footballing ability I could put him down as one of the best I have seen in terms of what I have been fortunate to play with in my career.

“When I see some of the things he does on a football and how comfortable he is on a football, I put him up there as one of the best I have seen.

“Whether he fulfils his potential to be one of the best I have worked with time will tell but in terms of his ability with the ball certainly he is one of the best I have seen.”

These comments highlight his technical quality in possession and emphasise the point that he could be key to Howe’s attempts to turn the side into a slick, attacking, unit instead of one that needs to sit in a low-block all match and work off scraps on the counter. They could potentially afford to build attacks slowly in the knowledge that the 23-year-old could then unlock the defence with a piece of magic.

Eze proved last season that he is able to use his ability on the ball effectively at Premier League level. He racked up four goals and six assists in 29 starts for Palace, whilst averaging 1.3 chances created per game and completing 84% of his attempted passes.

This shows that he can score and create goals in the final third to win games for the club, whilst also being reliable in possession of the ball. Therefore, Howe would surely love him on Tyneside as he is a brilliant young prospect who has proven that he could be a major asset for the Magpies at senior level with his form for Palace.

AND in other news, £9.8m wasted: “Out of his depth” Newcastle dud has been taking liberties for 131 weeks…