Oliver Glasner has pleaded with the Crystal Palace board not to sell any of their star players such as Eberechi Eze, warning that it could derail their season. Eze, 27, is wanted by Arsenal, who’ve made him their priority as we approach the final month of the summer transfer window.
Marc Guehi is also being linked with a move to Liverpool, who are understood to be the frontrunners after the Palace captain entered the final 12 months of his contract. Liverpool are also keen on another Eagles player.
Adam Wharton has been targeted for next summer, although Tottenham would be willing to sign the midfielder this year. Eze, meanwhile, is tied down until 2027 but has a £68million release clause.
Arsenal, who’ve spent £194m so far, are hoping to do a deal for less than that, reportedly around £60m but one which has incentives for Palace. Mirror Football understands that the Gunners opened talks over a move for the England international towards the end of June.
Arsenal, who’ve spent £194m so far, are hoping to do a deal for less than that, reportedly around £60m but one which has incentives for Palace. Mirror Football understands that the Gunners opened talks over a move for the England international towards the end of June.
Now that they’ve completed the £63.7m signing of top target Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal are focused on Eze. But Glasner has told Palace that they’d be putting themselves in danger of repeating their ‘false start’ from last term if they sell their key players.
Speaking to Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung during their pre-season tour, the Eagles boss bemoaned Palace’s lack of activity in the market, having only spent £3m on a backup goalkeeper and a left-back. That’s despite them qualifying for Europe thanks to winning the FA Cup coupled with the interest in Guehi, Wharton and Eze.
“Even though all the players are still here, we haven’t made the most of the transfer window so far,” an irked Glasner admitted. “I was promised that we would be more active and bring in the new players earlier this year.
Should Crystal Palace accept less than Eberechi Eze’s release clause? Have your say in the comments section.
“As of now, I have 17 outfield players. I hope we don’t lose any more. If that happens and we get four new ones on deadline day like last year, another false start is possible.”
Palace’s business has suffered from the fact they still don’t know which European competition they’ll be playing in next season. Glasner’s side were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League after being found to have breached UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, a decision which they’ve since appealed.