Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson admits he would be ‘very happy’ to sign Rob Holding from Premier League rivals Arsenal on transfer deadline day.
Rightly or wrongly, the long-serving centre-half will always be remembered by some Arsenal supporters as the man who’s return to the starting XI coincided with the collapse of the Gunners’ title charge last season.
Rob Holding, of course, was not the only culprit. But it certainly doesn’t reflect well on the 27-year-old that the infamous four-man winless run in the spring – including that 4-1 hammering at eventual champions Manchester City – came during Holding’s run in the first-team and William Saliba’s most untimely injury.
Crystal Palace want Arsenal defender Rob Holding
According to Sky Sports, Holding could now follow Nuno Tavares out of Arsenal on deadline day. Crystal Palace are in talks over a permanent deal.
And Palace boss Hodgson is making no secret of his admiration for a player who has been on the club’s radar for some time.
“He is a player who has interested us for a while,” Hodgson says, via Football365. “(Sporting director) Dougie Freedman knows him very well.
“We’re working on the basis that you can’t have too many quality players in your squad. If he was available, and it’s a deal that is doable, I’d be very happy to work with him.
“Our squad is not that massive. There is space in the 25-man squad for another player. If it could be Rob we’d be happy with that.”
Tavares has already departed Arsenal today, joining Nottingham Forest on a £12 million loan-to-buy deal. Albert Sambi Lokonga could also be on his way to Luton Town.
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