Erdal Rakip looks set to move to the Premier League on loan, joining the English Eagles from their Portuguese namesake Benfica.
Crystal Palace have a lot of work to do before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month, with a reliable striker and a solid centre-back at the top of Roy Hodgson’s wish list.
But while Palace fans may be hopeful of a deal for the likes of Khouma Babacar or Joe Worrall, Portuguese publication A Bola suggests that they will have to make do for now with a little known Swedish midfielder by the name of Erdal Rakip.
The 21-year-old signed a five-year contract with Portuguese champions Benfica when completing his move from Swedish outfit Malmo this month, but is expected to spend the second half of the season on loan at Crystal Palace before making the move to the Estadio Da Luz.
Rakip is hardly a household name in the outskirts of Selhurst Park but his performances for Malmo this season should give Palace fans a reason to be excited about his potential arrival.
The Sweden Under-21 international scored eight goals in 24 starts as Malmo sealed the league title and, while Rakip only had one assist to his name, he is renowned for his ability to carve open a defensive line with a perfectly weighted through ball.
There is a reason Benfica have signed him to eventually replace the talisman Pizzi after all, A Bola reports.
Palace’s top scorers this season are Luka Milivojevic and Bakary Sako with just four apiece so the addition of another goal threat, albeit in the form of a midfielder rather than a striker, should be welcome.
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