Ezequiel Schelotto has agreed a move to Argentine outfit Racing Club despite being tempted by a switch to Crystal Palace, according to Perspectiva Sur.
A week ago, reports in South America suggested that Roy Hodgson’s Palace side were interested in signing a free-agent defender who had been released by bitter rivals Brighton and Hove Albion just a few months earlier.
Il Resto del Carlino even suggested that Schelotto was keen on a move to Selhurst Park; one that promised to prolong his Premier League career.
But with the former Inter Milan ace heading back to his native Argentina instead, we can only speculate about why that purported switch to South London did not materialise.
Perhaps Palace had second thoughts about adding another 30-something player to an ageing squad, especially as chairman Steve Parish looks to inject some youth into Hodgson’s roster.
Then again, maybe Schelotto was concerned that he risked burning his Brighton bridges with a move to the Seagulls’ arch rivals.
Or perhaps the chance to win silverware back home in South America is his motive.
Whatever the reason, the 31-year-old free agent will be a Racing player sooner rather than later. Schelotto has agreed a contract until 2024 at the 18-time Primera Division champions.
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