Crystal Palace have now completed the first signing of the Oliver Glasner era.
After securing Premier League survival with that 2-0 win over Newcastle at the end of April, Dougie Freedman has been afforded plenty of time to charm transfer targets and convince them to move to SE25.
The transfer window officially opens on Friday 14th June, but despite that, Crystal Palace have already secured the signature of one Oliver Glasner target…
Crystal Palace finalise Chadi Riad deal
We exclusively revealed on Wednesday that Crystal Palace were close to finalising a “complicated” deal to sign Chadi Riad – the complications being that Barcelona held a buyback clause.
Now, however – according to Fabrizio Romano – any creases have been ironed out, with the reliable Italian journalist even giving this deal his trademark “here we go” as a seal of confirmation.
It is said that Riad will sign a five-year contract running until the summer of 2029, after Crystal Palace and Real Betis shook hands on a €14m (£12m) agreement.
By the sounds of Romano’s update, all the necessary paperwork is ready to be signed – as soon as the Morocco international passes his medical.
The reliable Italian adds that these medical examinations could take place next week, with Riad waiting to sign his contract.
It comes after the 20-year-old central defender enjoyed a terrific 2023/24 campaign at Real Betis, making 26 appearances in La Liga as Manuel Pellegrini’s side qualified for the UEFA Conference League by finishing seventh.
Impressive business
What has happened to Crystal Palace?
Usually, we take an age to get going in the transfer market, and our approach to recruitment has often seemed to be reactive, rather than proactive.
However, just days after waving farewell to James Tomkins and Jairo Riedewald – two players who offered depth in central defence – Freedman has already signed cover.
READ MORE: Who is Chadi Riad? Meet the ex-Barcelona youngster set for £13m Crystal Palace transfer
There is also talk of the Glaswegian offering Lazio No.6 Daichi Kamada a contract – as we aim to snap up Glasner’s old Eintracht Frankfurt maestro on a free transfer.
If this is a sign of things to come this summer, Crystal Palace fans should prepare themselves for a seriously busy transfer window – especially amid doubts over the futures of Ebere Eze and Michael Olise.
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