Crystal Palace appear to have missed out on yet another Aaron Wan-Bissaka replacement with Castagne staying in Serie A.
Crystal Palace are ready to accept defeat in their long-running chase of Timothy Castagne with the Belgium international set to extend his contract at Atalanta rather than pursue a move to Selhurst Park, according to the Daily Star.
It is three weeks now since the Croydon-born England U21 star Aaron Wan-Bissaka walked away from the club where he made his name to seal a dream move to Manchester United. Wan-Bissaka’s departure leaves a massive gap in Roy Hodgson’s side but it seems that Palace are no closer to finding a replacement.
Max Aarons, who the Eagles offered £10 million for according to the Mirror (27 June, page 65), has signed a new deal with Norwich City. It seems unlikely, meanwhile, that Chelsea will let the brilliant Reece James go with manager Frank Lampard determined to give youth a chance.
The Guardian even claims that they tried and failed to hi-jack James Justin’s £6 million move to Leicester City at the eleventh hour.
So this Castagne update will not be well received by an already frustrated Crystal Palace fanbase.
The Guardian reported in late-June that the Londoners had made contact with the jet-heeled right-back, who was understood to be valued at £17 million (Het Nieuwsblad).
But Castagne is now set to commit his future to Atalanta, according to the Star, with Crystal Palace seemingly accepting that he has slipped through their grasp.
And, with all due respect, who can blame him? Atalanta will be playing Champions League football for the first time next season while Palace will probably be happy to finish comfortably in mid-table.
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