Crystal Palace are racing Barcelona to sign an ‘incredible’ Manchester City player, with Pep Guardiola’s side now open to a sale next month.
Palace should be active during the January transfer window
Oliver Glasner has confirmed that he expects further additions in the next transfer window, saying: “We started talking about it a few weeks ago because if we start now it will be too late. Everything is already on track and all that remains is to close the deals.
“We know it, the club knows it, the board knows it. I don’t want to talk [too much] about it because if everyone knows about it, it just becomes more expensive. Everything is on track. [Sporting director] Matt Hobbs and Steve [Parish] we’re working really hard to get these deals done. »
Of course, with Marc Guehi’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, one of the most important tasks in January or summer will be to bring in a new centre-back, and many targets have already been identified.
Lens’ Samson Baidoo, Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa have all been named as potential options for the Eagles, while they could also make a move for a Man City star.
That’s according to a report from Caught Offside, which states that Crystal Palace are now racing with Barcelona for the signature of Nathan Ake, who is expected to be available for €30-35 million (£26-31 million) in the next transfer window.
City are now willing to sanction Ake’s departure, and there is no shortage of potential suitors, with AFC Bournemouth, Fulham and West Ham United also keen.
The Dutchman’s future is expected to be decided next month, with interested Premier League clubs likely wanting a permanent deal, while Barca would prefer to take him on loan, with an option to buy.
Barcelona are now very keen on the Crystal Palace star who Glasner called ‘incredible’
Palace have a decision to make regarding the future of a key player.
‘Amazing’ Ake could be a solid replacement for Guehi
Of course, Palace losing their captain is far from ideal, but they are powerless to stop him leaving at the end of the season, and all indications are that the City defender could be a solid replacement.
Crucially, the 30-year-old has extensive experience in the Premier League, having made 243 appearances in the competition, during which time he won the title six times, during spells at Man City and Chelsea.
Hailed as “incredible” by Guardiola, the Dutch international is also very calm in possession, with an average success rate of 94.6% over the past year, putting him in the 99th percentile, compared to other central defenders.
Ake, who pockets £160,000-a-week, could be a fantastic acquisition for Crystal Palace in January, and it would make sense for City to allow a departure, given he has been a bit player so far this season, appearing for just 223 minutes across eight Premier League games.
