Crystal Palace could make a move for Ajax defender Joel Veltman.
Ajax’s Joel Veltman in action with Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini
According to The Mirror, Crystal Palace could make a move for Ajax defender Joel Veltman once Frank de Boer is confirmed as the club’s new manager.
The Eagles have been searching for a replacement for Sam Allardyce for just over a month now, and they appear to have decided that De Boer is the man for the job.
Former Inter Milan boss Frank de Boer
The 47-year-old has been out of work since losing his job with Inter Milan in November, having won just five of his 14 games in charge, but four successive league titles with Ajax may give Palace fans some confidence.
De Boer will be looking to bring in new faces when he gets the job, and whilst the likes of Kasper Dolberg or Amin Younes may be beyond reach, he could look to raid former club Ajax for additions.
Ajax’s Joel Veltman in action with Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The Mirror now report that Palace could look to challenge Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Ajax defender Joel Veltman, given that he is out of contract next summer and could be available now.
Veltman, 25, can play at centre back or right back and came up through the ranks of Ajax’s famed academy, before going on to make more than 150 appearances for the club, whilst becoming a Dutch international.
Ajax’s Joel Veltman challenges Robin van Persie
Veltman was a regular under De Boer at Ajax and could bring versatility to a Palace defence now missing former loanee Mamadou Sakho, but Palace may have to battle London rivals Tottenham for his signature.
The London Evening Standard recently reported that Spurs have been watching Veltman ahead of a cut-price £8million raid this summer, meaning Palace will hope that De Boer’s connection with the defender can help them win the race.
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