Report: Crystal Palace in talks with West Ham over Adrian deal

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Newcastle United wanted West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian but it appears that Crystal Palace is his most likely destination.

When West Ham United owner David Sullivan lauded new signing Joe Hart as ‘the best goalkeeper I ever worked with’ in reference to the England keeper’s loan spell at Birmingham City, Adrian was left reeling.

The Spaniard, who has been West Ham’s usual first-choice since moving from Real Betis in 2013, took little time to remind Sullivan that he had ‘two great professionals respecting, fighting and defending this badge’, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

Adrian endured his most disappointing season at West Ham in 2016/17

Therefore, you could forgive Adrian for wanting to end his four year association with The Hammers’ this summer. After all, with Hart on board following a season-long loan move from Manchester City, it appears likely that the 30-year-old faces a long season warming the bench.

As such, it’s little surprise that reports of his exit are gathering pace, the Daily Mail claiming Adrian is now in talks with Crystal Palace over a £3 million deal.

The Eagles need a new shot-stopper after Steve Mandanda ended a disappointing 12 months in the capital to return to former club Marseille, leaving the unconvincing Wayne Hennessey as Frank de Boer’s first choice.

The report adds that Palace’s first choice had been Barcelona’s Dutch international goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen. The 28-year-old featured just eight times for the Catalan giants last season after moving from Ajax in 2016, but told ESPN that he had no desire to leave the Camp Nou so soon.

Cillessen is stuck behind Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the pecking order at Barca

As such, Adrian appears a cheaper, and more realistic, alterative. After a series of offers, he lost his place in West Ham’s starting XI to Darren Randolph last season, however, so Palace will be hoping he can rediscover the form he showed when Sam Allardyce was in charge at Upton Park.

The Mirror reported earlier this month that Newcastle United were keen as Rafael Benitez looks for a new number one but it appears The Magpies may miss out on another target.