It’s not often Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman impresses in the market.
Put aside his efforts this summer in landing Ebere Eze and Nathan Ferguson and the Scot’s dealings have sometimes baffled the Selhurst Park faithful.
There was the time he wrapped up a loan move for Erdal Rakip from Benfica. The Swede didn’t play a second of first-team football before departing months later.
In the same window, he tied up a deal for Jaroslaw Jach. A £2 million recruit from Zagłebie Lubin, he has also yet to make a competitive first-team appearance.
However, the former Eagles striker has been spot on in the way he has handled a delicate situation with Chelsea.
It appeared as if the south Londoners were signing bright prospect Conor Gallagher from the Blues. The midfielder – who spent time with Charlton Athletic last term – even underwent a medical at the end of August, but an announcement never followed.
While confusion reigned, it appears an explanation has arisen.
The Guardian reports Palace have decided to take Michy Batshuayi on loan instead of the 20-year-old. Premier League rules state a club can’t take two players on loan from the same side, so Freedman was forced to choose.
While Gallagher is an excellent prospect who notched six Championship goals last season, it would have been foolish to prioritise him over the Belgium international.
Batshuayi has already spent time at Selhurst Park. The man who Chelsea paid £33 million for scored five goals in nine league starts in 2018/19.
With the Eagles finishing last term as the top-flight’s second-lowest scorers, a finisher is required more than another midfielder.
Roy Hodgson already has Luka Milivojevic, James McArthur, James McCarthy, Jairo Riedewald, Max Meyer and Cheikhou Kouyate among his midfield options, along with Eze. However, he has just Christian Benteke, Connor Wickham and Jordan Ayew as recognised centre-forwards.
Freedman has played a masterstroke in pulling the plug on Gallagher in favour of moving for someone Palace need more.
He will hope the 26-year-old can deliver the goods once more.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
