Crystal Palace have almost completed the move for signing number one this summer as his manager confirms.
Oliver Glasner will have been keen for the Eagles to make moves in this transfer window, and quickly. Now, less than a week into the postseason, he’s done just that.
With several positions needing to be improved upon, recruitment will have already been underway for weeks ahead of a busy summer for Dougie Freedman.
Now, it seems the first signing of the Glasner era at Crystal Palace will be confirmed next week, as his current manager has just confirmed the move.
Manuel Pellegrini now confirms Chadi Riad is Crystal Palace-bound
Over the past few days, the deal to sign Chadi Riad has moved extremely quickly for Palace and now it seems like he’s set for his medical before a £14m deal, with a contract being signed until 2029.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday, as quoted by journalist Fran Campos, Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini has admitted Riad will have his medical next week.
“Chadi Riad will have his medical examination on Monday. He is not summoned for tomorrow.”
This confirms that reports of Riad’s quick-fire move being nearly done are true and now Palace supporters can look forward to welcoming a new defender next week at some stage.
For Betis, this will be welcomed as they stand to make a profit of over £10m for the 20-year-old Moroccan.
What to expect from Riad during his first season at Selhurst Park
The 2023 U23 African Cup winner with Morocco is an interesting signing for Palace, and one we imagine is being made with the future firmly in mind.
The centre-back department has been left thin by the fact Glasner has implemented a system change to a back three.
So with the exit of James Tomkins and then the possible sale of Marc Guehi, reinforcements were needed and that doesn’t mean Riad should be expected to start every game next season.
A prospect who is definitely already capable, Riad is an excellent tackler and passer in defence which perfectly suits Glasner-ball.
He had a pass completion percentage of 89.7% this season which is in the 80th percentile of his positional peers in La Liga, while his tackling percentage is at the 74th percentile at 68.6%, as per FotMob.
He has all the raw skills needed to be a Premier League centre-back and will benefit from Glasner’s coaching to fine-tune him into an elite defender.
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