Fear Crystal Palace could trigger winger’s €20m release clause – Bid ‘in next few days’ not ruled out
River Plate remain concerned that Crystal Palace could trigger Pablo Solari’s €20m release clause before the end of the transfer window.
That’s according to Minuto Uno, who say Crystal Palace remain in the mix for the player and that’s causing concern in Argentina.
They report that Martín Demichelis’s team ‘may lose’ one of their key players before the summer window closes, with Crystal Palace having already shown ‘strong interest’ earlier in the window.
Indeed, the belief is that they would be willing to pay his €20m release clause, or at least get to a figure close to that number, meaning River Plate would have to sell the winger.
They’re yet to actually do that but the interest is there and there is a growing belief a serious bid could be made at some point to test their resolve, or worse, take it out of their hands entirely.
This is backed up by journalist Sebastián Srur from Radio Continental, who is quoted as saying: “It must not be ruled out that a formal offer for Solari will arrive in the next few days.”
He did not name Crystal Palace, though, to be clear on that point.
Their interest in him is established nonetheless and if they, or any other side, were to match that €20m clause or get close to it then ‘there are great chances’ that the former Colo-Colo winger will leave in this window.
Crystal Palace work on transfer surprises but attack should not be the focus
Tying Michael Olise down to a four-year contract was a major coup for the Eagles, and when asked whether he expects more good news before the transfer window closes, Hodgson again heaped praise on Parish and Freedman.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if they had some more [planned]”, he said, adding: “They’re good in those last weeks of the transfer window.”
But Palace fans will hope any new additions are not restricted to attacking reinforcements. Wilfried Zaha’s move to Galatasaray and Olise’s new deal have felt like distractions from an equally pressing matter further back.
The way centre-back pair Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen kept Arsenal at bay from open play on Monday night was indicative of their excellence throughout much of last season, particularly in Palace’s inspired run-in under Hodgson.
What happens if one of them picks up an injury, though? And what if the club receive a very lucrative bid for either player before deadline day — one that would be daft to turn down? Guehi is of interest to many.
It is clear that neither, at the moment, need replacing. Guehi ranked 22nd and Andersen was 56th for tackles made in the defensive third among all Premier League players last season.
They were both in the league’s top 12 players for clearances made, with Andersen placing third. Tottenham’s interest in both players this summer points to the level at which both are operating.
It is also true that new signing Jefferson Lerma is already forming a formidable midfield partnership with the much-courted Cheick Doucoure, and full-backs Joel Ward and Tyrick Mitchell have shown themselves to be excellent defenders.
Yet Freedman must still look to strengthen at the heart of defence. Squad depth is just as important as having a strong starting XI.
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