‘Made an offer’: 30-year-old admits he could have joined Crystal Palace

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Former Lyon and France U21 defender Lindsay Rose has recalled his failed move to Crystal Palace with the Premier League outfit making a £3 million bid for him back in 2013, speaking to Stade Rennais Online. 

Nearly a decade ago, Crystal Palace were considering centre-halves at either end of the age spectrum as they looked to add some defensive depth to a side who beat Watford in the Championship play-off final a few weeks earlier.

William Gallas was one option; the former Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea stopper in line for a Premier League encore at the age of 36. The other name on Crystal Palace’s hitlist – Lindsay Rose – was 15 years Gallas’ junior. 

In the end, neither player would arrive at Selhurst Park. Gallas opted to see out his storied career Down Under, while Rose would stay in France after Palace’s £3 million offer fell short of Valenciennes’ demands (L’Equipe).  

Crystal Palace once wanted former Lyon and France U21 defender Lindsay Rose

“I had quite a few clubs from Europe (targeting) me, including Crystal Palace,” Rose explains. “(Palace) made an offer in August.” 

Now 30, Rose is plying his trade in Poland after spells at Lyon, Lorient and Bastia. He joined Legia Warsaw in 2021.

“My career has been up and down,” Rose adds. “Legia Warsaw is one of the biggest clubs in central Europe. It was as if I was going back to Lyon. Here, the facilities are at the very, very highest level. The enthusiasm of the supporters at the stadium too.

“It’s a league not very publicised in France, but has a lot of quality.

“The first year (in Poland) was very hard, especially the first few months. The approach is different, the game is much more physical. More intense, too. But, for a few months now, I’ve been enjoying it.”

With January just one month away, Crystal Palace are heading into the winter window with a new right-back high on their radar. Leeds United’s seldom-seen former Fulham prospect Cody Drameh is in Patrick Vieira’s sights, per TEAMtalk.