Oliver Glasner is now close to making his first signing at Crystal Palace after an agreement was reached with a central defender.
Just days after the 2023/24 campaign ended on a high with a stunning 5-0 win over Aston Villa, the Austrian and Dougie Freedman have already got to work on recruitment ahead of the summer transfer window.
There has been plenty of talk about the futures of Ebere Eze and Michael Olise, but in the meantime, it seems as if some groundwork has been done on an incoming at Crystal Palace…
Crystal Palace close to signing Chadi Riad
According to several sources, a deal to sign Chadi Riad from Real Betis has been agreed.
Firstly, it was Spanish news outlet SPORT who claimed that a verbal agreement had been reached over a £15m sale.
Real Betis are currently focused on triggering their €3m (£2.6m) option to buy with Barcelona – who Riad has spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan from – before selling the Morocco international on to Crystal Palace for a sizeable, immediate profit.
Then, Fabrizio Romano added further details.
The reliable Italian journalist believes Riad has already agreed to join Crystal Palace, and the Eagles are now “closing in” on a first signing of the summer, and the first signing made under Glasner.
Romano wrote in full: “Crystal Palace are closing in on deal to sign Chadi Riad from Real Betis as new centre back. Understand formal proposal has been sent for €12m (£10m) plus €2m (£1.7m) add-ons, deal being finalised between clubs. Chadi Riad already said yes to #CPFC. Here we go, soon 🦅”
The Daily Mail have also covered the story, adding that Maxence Lacroix of VfL Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest’s Moussa Niakhate are targets, albeit more expensive options compared to the Moroccan.
Who is Chadi Riad?
Riad is just 20 years of age, so a number of Crystal Palace fans may have never heard of him before.
The Palma de Mallorca-born Morocco international is a precocious central defender, who has impressed across 26 appearances in La Liga under Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis this season.
Furthermore, Riad is described as a “tall, athletic, quick and left footed” defender in that aforementioned story by the Daily Mail, honing his skills in Barcelona’s famed La Masia before developing significantly at Real Betis this season.
The £15m man also seems to be a clean passer – like Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen – having averaged a pass success rate of 89.7% in La Liga this season, as shown by WhoScored.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Crystal Palace could soon make an official announcement.
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