MANCHESTER UNITED want to battle Tottenham for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze this summer — but they are way behind on the charm offensive.

Spurs look to be in the box seat after Eze’s friends and family were again seen in his agency’s hospitality suite at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium towards the end of last season.

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Sources say the new regime at United want to make the England international a marquee signing in their first summer window — with the star having a £60million release clause.

United finished the season with a negative goal difference and found the net just 57 times – the joint lowest figure in the Premier League’s top 10 clubs with Palace.

Eze managed 11 goals and four assists despite injuries restricting him to 27 appearances and has also been linked to champions Manchester City.

The South Londoners do not want to lose Eze or Michael Olise, the creative heart of a team that ended the 2023-24 campaign strongly under new boss Oliver Glasner.

United would also probably have to sell players before they could afford a major signing like Eze at that £60m fee and are yet to decide the future of manager Erik ten Hag.

Financially stable Tottenham are one of the few Premier League clubs who can spend this summer without having to worry too much about staying within Profit and Sustainability Rules.

But boss Ange Postecoglou has other areas he wants to strengthen and might be reluctant to spend too much of his budget on Eze.

The 25 year old’s agents, CAA Base, have had good connections at Spurs for many years and number current players like Son Heung-Min and James Maddison, as well as Postecoglou, among their clients.

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Base also have a hospitality box at the stadium.

Eze’s entourage were guests for Palace’s defeat there in March and again for Tottenham’s penultimate home game of the season against Burnley.

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Spurs are looking for marquee signings to strengthen a good start to Postecoglou’s life as boss, after finishing fifth.

They have already sealed a loan, with an option to buy, of wideman Timo Werner who would play in a similar position to Eze in the Spurs system.

But with a Europa League campaign to attack, Spurs are keen on additions to the squad.

They will also bank cash from the sales of the likes of Emerson Royal, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Djed Spence, Joe Rodon and would even listen to offers for Oliver Skipp and Richarlison.

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