In a move that would ease any potential Marc Guehi blow this summer, Crystal Palace have now reportedly emerged as shock contenders to sign a young defender wanted by Real Madrid.
Crystal Palace transfer news
From languishing all too close to the relegation zone to fighting for a place in the top half and reaching the last eight of the FA Cup, Crystal Palace have enjoyed quite the turnaround this season. Following a shaky start to Oliver Glasner‘s first full season in charge, in which they were still reeling from Michael Olise’s summer exit, the Eagles have rediscovered their best form under the Austrian.
That form has done them no favours when attempting to fend off any interest in Guehi, however. The England centre-back was the subject of interest from Newcastle United last summer, only for Palace to price the Magpies out of a move.
Now, almost a year on from those rumours, it’s the likes of Chelsea who are reportedly interested in securing Guehi’s signature and they, unlike Newcastle, will be difficult to price out of a summer deal.
It seems as though those in South London are already preparing for the worst by lining up a shock Maxence Lacroix repeat. According to Caught Offside, Crystal Palace have emerged as shock contenders to sign Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg, who value their defender at as much as €50m (£42m) this summer.
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The Eagles are far from alone in the race to secure his signature, however, with European giants Real Madrid standing alongside Liverpool in a mammoth battle in the coming months.
“Amazing” Koulierakis could replace Guehi
Whilst Wolfsburg would feel fairly hard done by if Crystal Palace signed Lacroix one summer and then his replacement one year later, that’s exactly what the Eagles should look to do. Having worked out last summer, returning to the Bundesliga could be the key to replacing Guehi should he swap Selhurst Park for a top six move when the transfer window swings open.
|
Wolfsburg stats (via FBref) |
Maxence Lacroix 23/24 |
Konstantinos Koulierakis 24/25 |
|---|---|---|
|
Starts |
27 |
20 |
|
Progressive Passes |
79 |
75 |
|
Tackles Won |
29 |
17 |
|
Ball Recoveries |
126 |
69 |
Performing to similar levels to Lacroix’s final Bundesliga season, particularly on the ball, Crystal Palace are certainly looking in the right direction for a potential new centre-back partnership. A move to the Premier League would be Koulierakis’ biggest yet and continue his rise from the central defender who football talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “amazing” at PAOK into one to watch in England’s top tier.
Whether Palace can cause a shock a beat the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid to sign their second Wolfsburg defender in as many years remains to be seen. With or without Selhurst Park, however, Koulierakis looks destined for great things.
