---
title: "Exclusive: Carlton Palmer doubts Eddie Nketiah would have been prolific at Crystal Palace"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-carlton-palmer-doubts-eddie-nketiah-would-have-been-prolific-at-crystal-palace-e275/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Danny Rust"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2021-09-03T05:20:51Z"
modified: "2021-09-03T05:20:51Z"
---

# Exclusive: Carlton Palmer doubts Eddie Nketiah would have been prolific at Crystal Palace

**Carlton Palmer believes Crystal Palace may have dodged a bullet after failing to sign Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal.**

Eagles boss Patrick Vieira, who was [named](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/news/patrick-vieira-appointed-as-manager/2021-07-04/) as Roy Hodgson’s successor following a prolonged managerial search in July, was keen to add a striker to his ranks before the transfer window slammed shut earlier this week.

Vieira, an Arsenal legend having made [396 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-vieira/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/3183/verein/11) for the Gunners during his playing career, returned to his former club in a [bid to sign](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12388861/arsenal-transfer-news-crystal-palace-interested-in-eddie-nketiah) Nketiah.

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However, Palace were [unable](https://theathletic.com/news/crystal-palace-confirm-signing-of-odsonne-edouard-from-celtic/emQ8vJkrBVtY) to strike a deal as the north Londoners valued the 22-year-old at £20million – double the fee Vieira’s side were willing to pay.

As a result, the Eagles turned their attentions elsewhere and completed the [signing](https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/11787/12396261/odsonne-edouard-joins-crystal-palace-from-celtic) of Celtic frontman Odsonne Edouard for £14million, with the fee potentially rising to £18.5million.

Nketiah has scored [13 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eddie-nketiah/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/340324/verein/11) in 65 Arsenal appearances and former England midfielder Palmer believes the striker would have struggled to become a regular goalscorer at Selhurst Park.

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He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern: *“It’s difficult because if you’re a youngster going to a club, you need the club to be in a position where they’re going to create chances for you and things are going well.*

*“If you stick a youngster in a side that’s struggling, it affects their confidence and long-term future. You have to be very careful.”*