Palace still in shock Eze stayed as they had already lined up a replacement for him

Crystal Palace were completely "convinced" they would lose Eberechi Eze this summer, it's been revealed.

The Eagles sold Michael Olise to Bayern Munich early on in the window, and it's now been claimed the club's hierarchy had also prepared for the departure of England star Eze.

According to the Daily Mail, the 26-year-old would have been available on the market for his release clause worth £68million.

This clause ran until August, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham all said to have expressed their interest in the attacking midfielder.

The report adds the south London side had already lined up Eze's replacement in the form of 21-year-old PSV star Johan Bakayoko.

However, no bids ever arrived for Eze to take the former Queens Park Rangers star away from Selhurst Park.

Chairman Steve Parish admitted this lack of interest had left him "astounded", as he had nothing but praise for the seven-cap Three Lions star.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael [Olise] and Ebbs [Eze] in the same window and we didn't have in Ebbs the interest that I thought we would have.

"I was astounded. Genuinely astounded.

"I mean, the guy's just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person."

Eze has already notched up a goal in both the Premier League and League Cup, while his would-be replacement, Bakayoko, has two goals and one assist across all competitions this season.

He was also named in Lee Carsley's inaugural England squad for the Uefa Nations League clashes against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

His contract runs until 2027, but the release clause will re-open once again next summer.

Palace will reportedly be willing to "soften" their stance and facilitate a lower transfer fee for Eze as they understand his desire to play regular European football.

Eze grabbed 11 goals and four assists in the league last season in a turbulent campaign that saw Palace end the campaign with Oliver Glasner in charge.

Meanwhile, Bakayoko grabbed 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions as his contributions proved important in PSV's Eredivisie-winning campaign.

He also has one goal in 14 Belgium caps, and like Eze, was named in his nation's latest squad as they prepare to play Israel and France.