Crystal Palace are closing in on the first signing of the Oliver Glasner era and now it’s said the deal will be done.
The season hasn’t even been over for a week yet and already Crystal Palace are making moves with signing number one expected to be completed soon.
With several positions seen as priorities for the Eagles and Oliver Glasner this summer, Dougie Freedman needed to kick things off quickly this summer, and he’s done just that.
Speaking exclusively with HITC’s Graeme Bailey, we’ve learned that despite complications, Palace are now set to finalise the first incoming of the window.
Crystal Palace will complete a deal to sign Chadi Riad
Graeme Bailey has shared some insight into the potential arrival of Real Betis defender Chadi Riad who now looks likely to arrive at Selhurst Park.
“So – yeah am told personal terms are agreed with the player – the overall fee is complicated but around €15m (£13m) it will be done for am told.
“Barcelona buy back has complicated it as if they don’t get what they want, they threatened to buy him back and sell him on, but it now seems it is going to be Betis getting the bigger fee.”
This points toward the fact that Riad will soon be an Eagles defender, given the fee being paid will appease everyone involved and Palace will add what we hope is the first of many this summer.
Signing Riad effectively confirms Marc Guehi will be departing this summer
Despite arrivals being key this summer, the outgoings will be just as important for Palace and the club must avoid losing too many key players of the current team.
But the general thinking is we won’t be able to keep them all, and it looks increasingly likely that Marc Guehi is the one who’ll be sacrificed.
However, Riad is unlikely to be the direct replacement but rather is likely to be one of two or three centre-back arrivals this summer to bolster the position due to it being weak already and departures making it weaker.
At just 20, Riad will be one with an eye toward the future but he’s also a player who’s ready right now to contribute, although he is unlikely to be thrown into the fire too soon.
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