Crystal Palace are reportedly close to losing one of their academy jewels in the summer after the 23-year-old’s loan expires.
Crystal Palace are braced for a summer of change at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, as Oliver Glasner prepares for his first transfer window at the helm.
The Austrian took charge of the squad at a difficult time, reinforced by him only winning one of his opening six games in what has been a particularly trialling season at Selhurst Park.
Despite all of the club’s struggles, it looks as though the summer will see a host of changes, with it already being reported that Glasner is eyeing targets in Germany in order to change the demographic of his squad.
That being said, it’s not only potential incomings that Steve Parish will be preparing for, with some names already linked with a move away and one looking almost certain to leave this summer.
The academy talent that Crystal Palace could lose this summer
While the futures of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise will dominate the transfer news surrounding Palace, it has today been reported that one player looks certain to exit at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
According to journalist Edmund Brack, Eagles loanee Kofi Balmer ‘will be leaving’ Selhurst Park in the summer at the expiration of his loan at AFC Wimbledon.
Brack tweeted:
“Understand AFC Wimbledon loanee Kofi Balmer will be leaving Crystal Palace this summer.”
“The 23-year-old has been a key part of Johnnie Jackson’s side during his stint at Plough Lane.”
Balmer signed for Palace back in the summer of 2022, joining from Northern Irish club, Larne, to join up with the U21s.
How did Kofi Balmer’s career at Crystal Palace look?
In the 2022/23 season, Balmer remained in South London to gain experience playing in a Premier League academy, making 22 Premier League 2 appearances for the Eagles.
The 23-year-old’s time at Selhurst Park hit a high that campaign under Patrick Vieira, as the Frenchman named him in his Premier League squad on three occasions.
While the Northern Irish ace failed to make a senior appearance for the club, he was an unused substitute against Leicester City, Wolves and Everton in the top flight.
Kofi Balmer’s statistics in League Two with Wimbledon, via Sofascore:
- Apperances: 14
- Clean sheets: 6
- Average match rating: 7.06
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 1
- Tackles per game: 1.5
His inclusion in the first-team squad was touched upon by Vieira, who branded the centre-back as “impressive” for his work in the academy, as relayed by London News Online.
“He’s got this kind of leadership and maturity – he’s playing like he is 28 or 29 years old.”
“He has been impressive. Hopefully, he will keep developing like that, and we will see how far he can go.”
After Vieira’s praise, it’s a shame to learn that the 23-year-old could leave the club in the summer, with only one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park at the start of next season.
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