Nervy days may lie ahead for Crystal Palace this summer but, right now, the mood hanging over Selhurst Park is one of optimism.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Ebere Eze and Marc Guehi‘s future, the alleged interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise‘s pesky release clause, a Palace side who ended last season so brilliantly are keen to keep the good feeling going.
HITC reported on Friday that The Eagles are in talks to reunite Oliver Glasner with his Europa League winning former Eintracht Frankfurt favourite Daichi Kamada. One of the most effective attacking midfielders in Europe on his day, Kamada scored 16 goals in his final season in Germany and was on the radars of Liverpool and AC Milan not so long ago.
The elegant Japan international will now leave Lazio on a free transfer, and maintains his remarkable record of only representing clubs with an eagle on their badge.
Crystal Palace are reportedly in for Sunderland whizzkid Jobe Bellingham too, the younger brother of you know who. And while Palace fans are still awaiting official confirmation of Chadi Riad’s near-£13 million move from Real Betis, the Morocco defender has already visited South London for medical tests with personal terms agreed.
Crystal Palace set to sign Chadi Riad from Real Betis
Real Betis president Angel Haro, via Relevo and El Correo, has opened up on Riad’s seemingly imminent departure for the first time.
“We don’t usually talk about amounts. You knew that it was a shared property. We had a purchase option that we could exercise, (and) we bought him,” Haro says, Betis signing the former Barcelona youngster permanently and promptly selling him on to Crystal Palace.
HITC understands that Palace will pay nearly £13 million. Betis are due to receive half of that.
“Between 6 and 7 million euros is what we have received for a player who has given a very good performance,” Haro explains, attention now turning to finding a replacement.
“The defence is another of the positions that we have to reinforce.”
Crystal Palace’s pursuit of the La Masia graduate has understandably led to speculation that his arrival could pave the way for the much-admired Guehi’s departure. HITC understands this is not the case, however. The Spain-born 20-year-old is wanted not to succeed Guehi but to provide competition for him, and add further depth to Glasner’s backline.
Xavi hailed former Barcelona prospect
“Chadi Riad was excellent,” Betis’ former Man City and Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini said after the youngster impressed during December’s 1-1 draw with Madrid. “In central defence, Chadi Riad is having a great season, not just today against Real Madrid.
“His performance has been incredible. I’m very happy for him. (Without Riad’s emergence) we’d have had a problem at centre-back.”
Front-footed and physical, the twice-capped Moroccan’s 6ft 2ins frame should help ease his adaptation into English football. That Barcelona background, meanwhile, means Riad is a player capable of building up from the back.
“We know Chadi, he’s a great central defender,” his former Camp Nou coach Xavi Hernandez said back in 2022. “Very aggressive and brings the ball (out from defence).”
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