Crystal Palace and rivals Brighton have the chance to sign a prolific centre-forward as the summer transfer window approaches.
Palace’s summer is taking shape and their ambitions are clear.
Wednesday night’s Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig will be the most important game in the club’s history, but behind the scenes the new team are working at full speed no matter what happens in Germany.
Business conditions remain the most pressing issue.
Andoni Iraola is a top target for the Palace board, but Bayer Leverkusen’s certainly reported interest in the Bournemouth manager will only complicate things further.
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Talks have also been held with former Flamengo manager Filipe Luis (talkSPORT), and Robbie Keane’s decision to resign as Ferencvaros manager earlier this week has rekindled their relationship with the manager, who Palace had mentioned as a candidate in February.
Oliver Glasner will be leaving after the final, and whoever replaces him will take over the team, which will require a huge effort.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is reportedly close to making a permanent move to AC Milan, with Corriere dello Sport claiming that negotiations are at a “very advanced stage”.
This departure will leave a hole on the front line that needs to be filled as soon as possible.
There’s a name on Steve Parrish’s desk now, and it has serious qualifications.
Crystal Palace and Brighton offer loan move for Jonathan David
According to TEAMtalk’s Graham Bailey, intermediaries acting on behalf of Jonathan David have contacted Crystal Palace and Brighton, among a group of Premier League clubs, to gauge interest in a loan deal for the Juventus striker.
The ‘world class’ 26-year-old is available for a temporary move this summer after a disappointing first season in Turin, with Juventus open to a loan arrangement that includes an option or obligation to buy.
David joined Juventus on a free transfer from Lille in July last year, signing a five-year contract until 2030 after receiving offers from half of Europe.
There was no question of his pedigree. He scored 109 goals in 232 appearances for Lille over five seasons, as well as 75 caps and 39 goals for Canada, and had a reputation as one of the most clinical finishers outside of the Premier League.
However, his debut match in Serie A ended in failure. His eight goals in 34 appearances in all competitions (six in the league and two in the Champions League) represents a significant decline, and Juventus have already begun rebuilding their front line.
For Palace, the appeal is clear.
If Mateta were to leave, a proven international striker with David’s movement, versatility and scoring record would be a significant upgrade over most available replacements on the market, even considering a difficult year.
The loan structure reduces financial risk and David’s desire to test himself in the Premier League is understood to be genuine.
Brighton’s interest will add competition from a club with an established track record of identifying and developing attacking talent. Fabian Hürzeler’s side could also present the possibility of Europa League football. This is an important card in any negotiation.
Palace, who sit in 15th place, cannot match that domestically, but a win against Leipzig on Wednesday would give them a place in next season’s Europa League group stages and completely transform the pitch.
That’s why the final is more important than the trophy itself. European football changes everything: player recruitment, revenue and the ability of players to get through the door.
David is exactly the kind of signing that is possible if a club can offer continental competition. Without it, Palace is fishing in a small pond.
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He is also highly regarded in his home country.
