Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph last May is being overshadowed by high-profile departures – with star midfielder Eberechi Eze (main image), set to join Arsenal in a £67.5 million move within the next 24 hours.
Captain Marc Guehi could also be on his way out before the transfer window closes at 2am on Sept 2 (Malaysian time), with Liverpool circling, while Manchester United is eyeing rising talent Adam Wharton.
Palace has already sold Malcolm Ebiowei to Blackpool and released Joel Ward, Rob Holding, and Jeffrey Schlupp.
Despite these exits, Palace managed a 1-0 victory over Norway’s Fredrikstad in the Europa Conference League playoff first leg this morning. The return leg takes place next week.
Manager Oliver Glasner has pleaded with chairman Steve Parish to bring in reinforcements, as the club has spent less than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues.
Following the win over Fredrikstad, Glasner joked: “If reinforcements don’t arrive soon, I will try my boots, because I was a centreback and this could be a good option. I will think about it!”
The London club has identified Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss as a possible replacement for Eze. It has also been linked with Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet and Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis.
Those players could add depth to Palace’s squad, but before any deals can be struck, Glasner must focus on Nottingham Forest, whom the Eagles face on Sunday (9pm).
Forest began the season strongly with a 3-1 win over Brentford, while Palace drew 0-0 with Chelsea.
There is no love lost between the clubs, as Palace believe Forest had a hand in its demotion from the UEFA Europa League to the Conference League.
Palace qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup, but UEFA ruled the club had breached multi-club ownership regulations as John Textor held shares in both Palace and Lyon – which also qualified for the competition.
It was Forest who alerted UEFA to the breach, even sending its legal team to Palace’s appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The appeal failed, and as a result, Forest secured a Europa League place.
In an interview with Gary Lineker’s podcast, Rest is Football, last month, Parish claimed Forest played a key role in the decision to demote the club to the third tier of European football.
Palace fans share Parish’s view and are planning a protest ahead of Sunday’s match. Police have issued a warning that they will be on alert.
Elsewhere, Manchester City and Tottenham clash in the match of the week on Saturday (7.30pm), while another highlight sees Newcastle host Liverpool on Tuesday (3am).
Newcastle’s wantaway striker, Alexander Isak, has declared he will never play for the club again after management backed down on promises, including a big pay rise and new signings.
The Magpies, however, insist Isak’s head has been turned by Liverpool, which offered £110 million for him earlier this month. Newcastle fans have promised Liverpool a hostile reception.
Fixtures (Malaysian time)
Aug 23
West Ham vs Chelsea (3am)
Manchester City vs Tottenham (7.30pm)
Bournemouth vs Wolves (10pm)
Burnley vs Sunderland (10pm)
Brentford vs Aston Villa (10pm)
Aug 24
Arsenal vs Leeds (12.30am)
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest (9pm)
Everton vs Brighton (9pm)
Fulham vs Manchester United (11.30pm)
Aug 26
Newcastle vs Liverpool (3am)
