Crystal Palace are set to sign RB Leipzig and former Nottingham Forest winger Oliver Burke for £15m.
Leipzig’s Oliver Burke and Leverkusen´s Tin Jedvaj vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match.
Crystal Palace are closing in on a deal to sign Oliver Burke from RB Leipzig in a deal that the Guardian reports will cost the Premier League club £15m.
Eagles boss Frank de Boer has already admitted to Sky Sports that there is interest in former Nottingham Forest winger Burke, with the transfer made all the more likely by Dougie Freedman’s appointment as sporting director.
Dougie Freedman during his time as Nottingham Forest manager.
Freedman was the 20-year-old’s manager when they were both at the City Ground and the youngster has previously described him as a “father figure” and “massive influence” – as reported by the Croydon Advertiser.
Burke has failed to truly assert himself at Leipzig following a £13m move from Forest in the summer of 2016, despite scoring one and assisting another in his first three games for the club.
However, in total the Scotland international started just five matches for the Bundesliga side as he made 26 appearances in all competitions and he now looks set to return to English football.
Crystal Palace’s manager Frank de Boer
This does not mean that Palace aren’t getting a great deal, though, as in an inflated market currently £15m for a fully fledged international with so much potential and who played in a team that finished second in the German top tier last term could be considered a steal.
While it may not have quite worked out in Germany for Burke, in a De Boer team that is adjusting to the Dutchman’s style of prioritising possession and technique, the Scot could still shine.
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