Crystal Palace ‘working hard’ to sign forward in January – Transfer expert
Crystal Palace are plotting a move to sign a new winger in the January transfer window amid a growing injury crisis.
This is according to former Man United and Blackburn Rovers chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the transfer team are working hard to identify potential options.
Oliver Glasner’s side has been short of wide options since Michael Olise’s move to Bayern Munich in the summer, and have now been caught short by injuries.
Their strength in depth has become an issue amid a growing crisis, with four academy players and two goalkeepers named on their bench in the 2-2 draw with Wolves.
Eberechi Eze is the usual first-choice in that role but has been sidelined until after the upcoming international break, while Matheus Franca isn’t expected to return until the new year.
This has led to Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr providing the only senior options to play alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta going forward.
Palace are now expected to enter the transfer market to help add to their squad.
Crystal Palace target new winger in January transfer swoop
Brown previously told Football Insider that the Eagles have considered recalling Jesurun Rak-Sakyi from his loan spell at Sheffield United to combat the issue.
Now, the former scout, who spent over a decade at Man United during their most successful period and has a wealth of experience in top-level recruitment, has insisted that the Eagles are working behind the scenes to land a new star.
“Depth is definitely a problem for them,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ve been working hard behind the scenes at Palace to identify players they feel could help them improve in the transfer window.
“I think the game against Wolves really highlighted their issues, especially out wide.
“They were forced to name a few youngsters on the bench as well and were limited with their options.
“Having academy players that can step up is never a bad thing, but it seems they’re on the bench just to make up the numbers.
“With the recent injuries they’ve suffered to the likes of Eze and Wharton, their problems have grown.
“It was Schlupp and Munoz who finished the game as their wingers – that’s not good enough.
“They would, of course, prefer to be able to turn to some quality player who can come on and change a game rather than dropping their levels.
“I’d expect them to look to bring someone in when the transfer window opens.”
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