It’s been a slow transfer window for Crystal Palace so far, and Eagles fans will be hoping their club makes some signings soon.
Roy Hodgson steadied the Palace ship last season to guide them to a mid-table finish after a disastrous start under Dutchman Frank De Boer. The return of the influential Wilfried Zaha to the side, teamed with some fresh impetus put into the side by the Croydon-born manager saw Palace end up safe.
Crystal Palace fans will be concerned to see their key man, Wilfried Zaha, linked with a host of clubs. These rumours were given fuel by the fact Zaha turned down another lucrative contract.
There has also been a worrying lack of transfer activity at Selhurst Park. Vicente Guaita, a goalkeeper, joining on a free from Getafe the only business the Eagles have so far done. Despite their positive run of form under Hodgson, there are still issues that need addressing in the Palace side.
Aside from the over-reliance on talisman Wilfried Zaha, a goal-scoring striker was a problem. Big Belgian Christian Benteke netted just three Premier League goals last season. The clubs top goalscorer was midfield-battler Luka Milivojevic. The Serbian was helped by scoring plenty of penalties.
Palace fans will be pleased to see the club have bid £8.9m to bring in Maxime Gonalons from AS Roma. The player is seen to be somewhat of a natural replacement for the Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, who has left Selhurst Park.
Eagles fans will want to see more than just Gonalons brought to the club, and Hodgson to address the attacking imbalance at the club.
Here are two major coups which would transform Crystal Palace’s summer…
Ross Barkley made just two Premier League appearances for Chelsea last season.
After the success of the Ruben Loftus-Cheek loan to Selhurst Park, Chelsea may well be willing to loan out the talented 24-year-old attacking midfielder. With his limited game time at Chelsea, the Blues may be willing to loan him out so he can re-discover his form in South London.
He would add a presence to the threadbare Palace midfield, and his ability to run with the ball would mirror that of Ruben Loftus-Cheek last season.
This signing would transform Palace’s summer.
A return to the Premier League for the Italian would suit both club and player.
Mario Balotelli has burnt bridges with Nice and it is more than likely he will leave the club this summer. Questions over his attitude remain, questions over his talent do not.
He scored 18 Ligue 1 goals in just 28 appearances last season. He has a good finish on him, and great pace which will stretch defences.
Palace should swoop for the £21.6m rated player to transform their summer.
