Crystal Palace has been very quiet in the summer transfer window, but Oliver Glasner is desperate to bring in new faces after he has lost star man Ebereechi Eze to Arsenal
Crystal Palace has put together a six -member wish list while desperately trying to sign new players before the transfer deadline of Monday – but they have withdrawn the race to sign Leicester star El Bilal Khannouss.
Olivier Glasner, who led the Eagles to a historic FA Cup triumph last season, has made no secret of his wish to strengthen his team throughout the summer. But they have been slowly again to respond, with only £ 2 million spent on two players-two-choice goalkeeper Walter Benitez and backup full-back Bora Sosa.
The club will be confronted on Thursday evening with the Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad FK in the second stage of their play-off from the Conference League, with a narrow 1-0 lead on the first legs and prepares for the prospect of more competitions in the group stage of the European competition. That increases the pressure to add more figures to the team – even more now that Sterman Ebereechi Eze, the score of the winning goal in the FA Cup final, joined Arsenal in a £ 67.5 million movement.
Marc Guehi can be the next to leave, with the club captain from the contract next summer. Liverpool is desperate to sign the English international, but chairman Steve Parish has retained his appreciation.
And while Parish has been busy keeping his best players in Selhurst Park, he was also busy fighting UEFA in the courts. Now he has finally drawn his attention to the signing of new players.
Palace keeps an eye on six players and working on various deals. Atletico Madrid – midfielder Conor Gallagher – who had a successful loan spell in South London – is being sought four years ago. However, it has been claimed that the English man is happy in Spain and earns a good salary, although Atletico can be forced to sell because of PSR obligations and can accept a reimbursement of around £ 40 million.
Palace is also interested in Villarreal Forward Yeremy Pino, with the Spain International seen as a replacement for Eze. The 22-year-old is not in a hurry to leave his current employers, but the Premier League club is not put off and hope to bring his £ 40 million price tag.
The club is no longer interested in El Khannouss, but if the Pino movement fails, Christos Tzolis is a backup option at Bruges. RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Christoph Baumgartner is also on the shortlist.
Palace also wants to add figures for defense, awaiting Guehi leaving and has asked for Manchester City star Manuel Akanji. The Switzerland International is also interested in Galatasaray and Bayer Leverkusen.
Another center-back option is Toulouse's Jaydee Canvot, which is also being sought by Aston Villa. Palace is braced for the exit of Guehi – but Glasner has already warned the club's hierarchy that they are in “big problems” if they lose the captain before they recruit reinforcements.
Speaking after the winning of the first legs on Fredrikstad last week, the frustrated manager said: “I just know if Marc leaves and he is not available for Fredrikstad, we will have major problems.
“It's pretty clear, we can't register anyone, so he must stay on my side.” Asked if he just referred to the trip to Fredrikstad or the entire season, said Glasner: “We played with Jefferson Lerma today.
“He is a midfield player. We don't have a centerback available at the moment, and if Marc leaves, okay, maybe I will try my boots because I was a center-back. This can be an option. I will think about it.”
Glasner had previously emphasized his perilous situation in an interview on Channel 5, where, asked about the importance of hanging on Guehi, said: “To be honest. To be honest, we have to, especially for the second stage.”