Crystal Palace’s quick start to the 2024 summer transfer window looks set to continue with the Eagles seen as favourites for another signing.
With ambitions high for Crystal Palace next season, this summer was always expected to be a busy one. Things have begun exactly as expected with two deals already nearly completed.
Oliver Glasner will bid to achieve something great next season, with Joachim Andersen expecting to see a finish within the European spots, as he predicted last month.
Dougie Freedman looks to have already secured the arrivals of both Chadi Riad and Daichi Kamada this summer which is the best start possible to a transfer window.
Riad currently awaits the announcement of his move, after he completed the transfer last week, while Kamada is expected to be next having got the ‘here we go’ from Fabrizio Romano on Monday.
Now, a potential third arrival has been suggested, with Palace the favourites in a two-horse race
Crystal Palace are leading the race to sign Ben Johnson
With a centre-back and a midfielder likely ticked off the list for Palace, it seems that a full-back is next, and one who happens to be the Premier League’s best finisher.
The player Palace seemingly want is 24-year-old Ben Johnson from West Ham, as he is due to become a free agent this month.
Now, according to a report by GiveMeSport, this is a deal which could be clarified this week with his future set to be decided.
The Hammers are resigned to losing Johnson this summer and Palace are considered to be the favourites to sign him, however, there will be competition from Southampton, with their promotion making St Marys’ an interesting proposition.
Southampton could become a more credible threat to Palace’s bid should Kyle Walker-Peters be sold this summer.
Given Johnson is primarily a right-sided full-back, there would be a question to ask over how he fits in, given Daniel Munoz is undroppable.
Where does Ben Johnson fit in at Crystal Palace?
Despite being more natural on the right, Johnson can also play on the left which could make him a strong acquisition for Palace, with reinforcements needed at both wing-back positions.
Johnson therefore could theoretically be the first backup to both Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell, not a bad place to be.
However, he likely wouldn’t be cheap considering it is wage demands which have seen him push toward the exit door at the London Stadium in the first place.
Interest in Johnson goes all the way back to January when Palace were linked the Londoner with reports at the time explaining he was likely to become a free agent.
Picking up a second potential starter or at least a player who is absolutely good enough to be a first-team player, for free after Kamada would be an unbelievable coup and leave plenty in the budget to spend elsewhere this summer.
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