(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Mon 1 June 2026 16:00, UK

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Crystal Palace will turn towards Dino Toppmoller if their move to appoint Lens manager Pierre Sage fails, sources have told Football Insider.

The 45-year-old German is on the Eagles’ latest list of managerial targets, and has plenty of admirers at Selhurst Park already.

Toppmoller is out of work having left Eintracht Frankfurt back in January, and sources have indicated that he is being viewed as a potentially “straightforward” appointment by Steve Parish and Co.

However, the South Londoners will only move for Toppmoller if their pursuit of Sage proves unsuccessful, with talks set to take place with the Frenchman in the coming days.

Palace did have their “hearts set” on naming Andoni Iraola as their new boss, but that has now become an impossibility with his move to Liverpool imminent.

How likely is Pierre Sage’s appointment?

Football Insider revealed on Monday that Sage is keen to join Palace in the coming weeks, despite enjoying a remarkable season with Lens.

His side challenged PSG all the way in the race for the Ligue 1 title, before eventually securing the Coupe De France, and they also have Champions League football to look forward to next term.

The 47-year-old is lined up for talks with the Palace hierarchy in the coming days, with the Eagles hoping to do “everything they can” in order to get a deal over the line.

There is a clear willingness from both them and Sage, but there is still a chance that Lens could dig their heels in and potentially even prevent a deal.

They are not willing to let go of their boss unless they absolutely have to, and they will be entitled to compensation from Palace, given that Sage still has two years left on his current deal.

Dino Toppmöller is one of the candidates to replace Oliver Glasner as Crystal Palace manager. Talks are already taking place. @SkySportDE @Plettigoal pic.twitter.com/GAGxwkuFis

— Kerry Hau (@kerry_hau) May 29, 2026

Nevertheless, the Premier League side are still keen to work towards a deal, and it looks set to be a crucial week in terms of their chances of landing Sage.

Expert thinks Adam Wharton’s future at Crystal Palace is secure

Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider last week that a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is not on the “immediate radar” of any clubs this summer.

The football finance expert suggested that the Englishman’s future at Selhurst is likely to be secure for another season at least, given that no teams are capable of meeting his £100million asking price ahead of 2026-27.

Borson made it clear that while Wharton has plenty of admirers at some of European football’s top clubs, there are none that would be willing to lay out such a significant fee for him in the coming months.

With that in mind, the 22-year-old looks destined to stay put for another year at least, which will be music to the ears of whichever boss ultimately takes charge of Palace next term.