Crystal Palace are looking to bring Junior Sambia to the Premier League after it was confirmed that the defender will leave Ligue 1 outfit Montpellier for free in July, according to Le10 Sport.
During a hectic transfer window last summer, Crystal Palace succeeded in completely overhauling their playing squad, bringing in a host of up-and-coming youngsters (Michael Olise, Connor Gallagher and Marc Guehi) while putting a number of battle-scarred veterans (Gary Cahill, James McCarthy, Patrick Van Aanholt) out to pasture.
You can probably expect more of the same in 2022.
Seven first-team players will be out of contract in a matter of weeks, including James McArthur, James Tomkins and current first-choice right-back Nathaniel Clyne.
Clyne’s understudy, Joel Ward, also has just over 12 months left on his deal.
So no one will be too surprised to learn that a new right-back – a younger, more athletic right-back better suited to Patrick Vieira’s free-flowing style – has emerged as a top priority heading into the summer.
And Sambia, a tough-tackling 25-year-old currently plying his trade for a mid-table Montpellier, will not cost Palace a penny.
After all, the former Lyon youngster will not extend his contract at the Stade de la Mosson.
Is Junior Sambia signing for Crystal Palace?
“It’s never nice to hear that a player on your team is calling it a day,” says Montpellier team-mate Elye Wahi.
“We can’t prevent people from doing certain things. He knows that he won’t stay in Montpellier and I hope he finds a new club.”
Sambia, who can also play in a more advanced role in midfield, has been in-and-out of Montpellier XI in 2021/22. He’s still made 27 Ligue 1 appearances, however.
And Sambia could be a bargain signing for a Crystal Palace side who appear to be on a bit of a golden streak in the transfer market.
Marseille are reportedly keen too.
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The Eagles have also been linked with Cologne defender Timo Hubers, Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez and former Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos.
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