Crystal Palace enjoyed a relatively successful campaign last time out, finishing 12th and just five points of Everton in eighth.
Indeed, they seem to have developed a thoroughly exciting, young side with a staggering £223.83m squad value (per TransferMarkt) and, while all the talk seems to be revolving potential exits, particularly Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s proposed move to Manchester United, rumours of an exiting incoming have started to bubble.
Gazzetta dello Sport have reported Crystal Palace are in the mix for Martin Hinteregger, perhaps a name unknown to many out there. However, the Austrian centre-back was a rock while on-loan at Eintracht Frankfurt last season and would add significant quality to the already impressive Palace defence.
Now, some of you may think the name rings a bell, but fail to remember where from. Well, Hinteregger was partially responsible for Frankfurt’s painful Europa League semi-final defeat against Chelsea, being one of two to miss during the penalty shootout.
Penalty miss aside, Hinteregger featured in 32 games in the Bundesliga last season, scoring three goals on the way to a top seven finish. Despite their league form rather crumbling as the Europa League took precedence, they still conceded just 48 goals, bettered only by four teams.
The 26-year-old is valued at £14.4m (per TransferMarkt) and it’s not difficult to see why. Standing at 6ft 1in, he’s not the tallest, but is known for his aerial ability and tackling (per WhoScored). He also has 39 appearances for his country and is up for sale after falling out with parent club Augsburg. Reportedly (as per the Guardian) he was tracked by Liverpool upon his international breakthrough back in 2014, so does look to have quite the footballing pedigree, even if his stock might have slightly dropped since being linked to a club of such stature.
The Sun have reported of a possible exit for Scott Dann, so defensive reinforcements are potentially in order. Outside of Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins, they do lack an awful lot of cover in the central defensive areas, so there certainly would be scope to bringing another option in.
It must be said that Gazzetta dello Sport do report that Hinteregger is not currently keen on a move. But Hodgson could definitely do with changing his mind!
Palace fans, what would you make of this potential incoming? A good signing? Or not an upgrade on your current crop? Let us know!
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