Bayern’s Wirtz “Failure” Leads Them To Target Cup Final Hero | OneFootball

Bayern Munich Eye Crystal Palace Star Eberechi Eze After Florian Wirtz Snub

German giants set sights on FA Cup hero amid summer rebuild

Bayern Munich have turned their attention to Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze after conceding defeat in their chase for Florian Wirtz, according to Ryan Taylor of The Mirror, who is expected to join Liverpool this summer.

Having been ready to smash their transfer record for the Bayer Leverkusen sensation, Bayern are now regrouping and exploring alternative attacking reinforcements. Among those in their sights are Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, AC Milan’s Rafael Leão, and crucially, Palace’s crown jewel Eze—fresh from firing the Eagles to FA Cup glory.

Eze’s Release Clause in Play

The 26-year-old is set to become one of the most coveted names in the window, with a £60 million release clause plus £8m in potential add-ons due to be activated post-season. However, that buy-out clause is time-sensitive and is believed to expire roughly two weeks before the end of the summer transfer window, potentially accelerating interest from across Europe.

Manchester City previously explored a move for Eze last summer, and Premier League suitors are expected to return, but Bayern’s existing relationship with Palace—cemented by Michael Olise’s £50.8m switch to Munich last year—could give them a strategic edge.

Palace’s European Ambition Hinges on Eze

Eze’s sublime first-half strike at Wembley not only sealed Palace’s first-ever major trophy, but also punched their ticket to the UEFA Europa League. Manager Oliver Glasner is keen to build around the England international, whose blend of flair and drive epitomised the Eagles’ late-season resurgence.

Palace are planning fresh contract talks in a bid to fend off interest and tie Eze down long-term, but the midfielder may see this summer as the perfect opportunity to step onto the Champions League stage.

Eze’s England Hopes Add Weight to Decision

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and Eze pushing to become a starter under Gareth Southgate, the next move could define his international trajectory. A move to Bayern, where Tuchel is keen on adding a dynamic No.10, would represent both a step up in club competition and a strong audition for England’s starting XI.

Still, loyalty and legacy linger. After five seasons in south London, Eze has blossomed into a club icon—his Wembley winner now etched into Palace folklore.

Eberechi Eze’s radar chart over the past 365 days underlines just why he’s become one of the Premier League’s most sought-after attacking midfielders. Analysed against players in similar roles (attacking midfielders and wingers), his percentile rankings show an impressive blend of creative flair, goal threat, and underrated defensive work.

Starting with the standout metrics, Eze ranks in the 90th percentile for non-penalty expected goals (npxG) and 89th for non-penalty goals, underscoring his elite ability to get into high-value scoring positions and convert them. His expected goal contributions (npxG + xAG) land him in the 85th percentile, confirming his effectiveness in combining both goals and assists.

Eze also scores highly in shot-creating actions (77th percentile), a reflection of his consistent involvement in Palace’s attacking build-up. While his actual assists (51st percentile) may not pop, this is often a function of teammates’ finishing rather than a shortfall in creativity.

In terms of possession stats, Eze’s progressive passing received (71st percentile) and successful take-ons (75th percentile) point to a player who’s not only confident in tight spaces but also capable of driving forward and disrupting defences. He’s less dominant in raw passing metrics—58th percentile in passes attempted and 61st in pass completion—but this reflects his more risk-inclined role in advanced areas.

Interestingly, his defensive numbers also stand out. While not a traditional strength for No.10s, Eze ranks well above average in clearances (71), blocks (66), and tackles + interceptions (71). It speaks to a player willing to work both ways—an attribute that will appeal to elite managers like Thomas Tuchel.

In short, this chart offers hard data to match the eye test: Eze isn’t just stylish—he’s statistically elite.