Premier League outfit Crystal Palace ‘really like’ Daniil Fomin but the Dynamo Moscow midfielder was the club’s second choice behind Donny Van de Beek, agent Alexander Manyakov tells Championat.
If things had worked out differently, the eight-cap Russia international might now be vying with Connor Gallagher for a place in Patrick Vieira’s midfield.
Crystal Palace identified Fomin a back-up option during in the January transfer window, behind number one target Van de Beek.
But, by the time deadline day arrived and Van de Beek put pen to paper with Everton, there was simply no time left for Palace to look elsewhere.
“I have voice messages on my phone from a person at Crystal Palace who influences the club’s transfer policy,” explains Manyakov.
“He says in plain text: ‘I really like Fomin, he is one of the candidates, but we are now focused on acquiring van de Beek.’
“The Dutchman did not go to Crystal Palace but ended up in Everton. And there was practically no time to carry out the transition of Fomin before the closing of the window.
“I will say right away that there was no specific proposal for Daniil. But I can confirm the interest of Crystal Palace.”
Will Crystal Palace come back for Daniil Fomin?
West Ham and Newcastle United were reportedly keen on Fomin too, via Sport Express. But there is more to this than meets the eye.
“My partners told me that a number of English teams – Newcastle, West Ham and Crystal Palace – were in need of a player like Daniil,” Manyakov explains, offering a glimpse behind the curtain at the life of an agent.
“A number eight, box-to-box player, capable of both attacking and defending. I suggested Fomin.
“Through agents, we received a response from Crystal Palace. They directly communicated (their interest) with the head coach and the sporting director. And they said: ‘Yes, the player is interesting.’
“Things didn’t go beyond verbal consultations. But I think it’s good that we were just one step away from starting negotiations between the clubs.”
Neither Newcastle or West Ham, it seems, made an approach for Fomin. Instead, their name was merely floated as a potential destination for the former Krasnodar man.
Fomin has scored seven goals in 19 games this season. Perhaps, when Gallagher returns to Chelsea, Crystal Palace will come calling again.
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