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Will Arsenal’s Nketiah Join Palace in January?

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Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah was a target for the Eagles back in the summer, but the deal fell flat due to the player’s agents fees as well as the player’s salary demands. The January transfer window has been open a week and there’s already talk that this deal may be back on.

Nketiah only has six months left on his contract and the fact that he’s not had much playing time at Arsenal all points to him leaving this month. If Arsenal were willing to sell him in the summer, it doesn’t seem like they will bother trying to renew his contract, but they will want to cash in now before he leaves on a free transfer.

Mateta loan to be cut short

This option has resurfaced as Mateta, who is on loan from Mainz, is apparently going to cut his loan spell short and instead join Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1. The three clubs have supposedly agreed on a deal that would see the 24-year old French striker move permanently in this transfer window.

Other Clubs Interested

Even though a fee was agreed between Crystal Palace and Arsenal in the summer, that doesn’t mean that Nketiah is going to join. As we mentioned, the deal broke down due to the player’s wages and his agent’s fees. Though, the fact that Palace won’t be paying Mateta’s wage bill once he departs, could open up the chance to pay the extra that the player was demanding.

After the recent Newcastle takeover, every football fan is watching eagerly to see who Eddie Howe is going to bring in. The Telegraph has reported that Nketiah is one of four strikers that Newcastle has its eye on. With Callum Wilson out injured, a replacement is needed for the Magpies. Liverpool’s Divock Origi is also among the four mentioned targets, but every player and his dog has been linked with Newcastle since the Saudi-backed takeover.

Palace’s rivals Brighton are also rumoured to be in the mix for Nketiah. With Maupay running hot and cold in front of goal for the Seagulls and Welbeck in and out with injuries, Brighton needs another option.

Darren Bent had his say

Former Spurs and England player, Darren Bent, had his say on Palace’s rumoured interest. This is what he had to say.

“The Palace one surprises me when they have Benteke and Odsonne Edouard. That surprises me a little bit”

“But Brighton, that is all they are crying out for. They play some of the nicest stuff. Danny Welbeck scored the other week, but his fitness has been an issue.”

“Neal Maupay is like a patchy striker. He would have a period of scoring in three games here and then won’t score for a while.”

“But Eddie Nketiah, all Brighton need is someone to stay in and around the box, then they will finish them off. Nketiah, for me, is a natural goalscorer, who will pick up them positions. Out of those two clubs, he suits Brighton.”

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Palace Return Likely For Wan-Bissaka

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Aaron Wan-Bissaka in United training gear

Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be set for a surprise return to Crystal Palace after a disappointing season at Manchester United. The young right-back was a key player for Palace after coming through the academy at the South London club. But he’s struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford since joining. With United manager Erik Ten Hag reportedly keen to offload him, a return to Selhurst Park could be on the cards.

Wan-Bissaka made his £50 million move to United back in the summer of 2019, but he has failed to live up to his hefty price tag. He played more frequently under former manager Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer, but Erik Ten Hag has preferred Diogo Dalot as his first pick at right-back.

There are even reports that he’d prefer to play Lindelof or Malacia in this position instead of Wan-Bissaka.

As he’s not one of the 14 Manchester United players heading to the World Cup, he’ll be at a training camp in Cadiz, Spain with the other players that haven’t gone to the tournament.

A move back to Palace would make sense for all parties involved. Wan-Bissaka knows the club well having come through the youth academy and he’d be in contention for a starting place as both Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward head further into their thirties.

For Palace, they would get a quality player at a cut-price fee. With Wan-Bissaka’s future at United in doubt, a reunion with Crystal Palace is looking more likely than it did in the summer when he was linked with Mourinho at Roma.

We’ve seen this type of return transfer before at Palace. You only have to look at when Wilfried Zaha left Crystal Palace for Manchester United only to resign permanently for the Eagles less than two years later. Look how that’s turned out. Palace fans will surely be happy to have him back in the squad.

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Christian Benteke Departs After 6 Years at Palace

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Christian Benteke in Crystal Palace's new kit

After reports that Christian Benteke was set to join Premier League rivals Wolves, it was announced just before the Arsenal match that he’s signed for MLS side D.C. United. Benteke joined the Eagles back in 2016 from Liverpool for a club-record fee of £32.5 million.

During his six years at the club, the Belgian scored 37 goals in 177 appearances. Though, the introduction of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Odsonne Edouard meant that he had less game time last season.

With only a year left on his contract, Palace would’ve wanted to get some money for him rather than letting him leave on a free transfer next year. Patrick Vieira made it sound like it was mainly the player’s choice in his post-match press conference after the match with Arsenal, but it was probably mutual.

“This is something he wanted to do. When players want to play, and you can’t guarantee them time or games, you have to let them go,”

“Christian spent six years at this football club, and he was fantastic for the football club. This is something he wanted to do, and we wish him all the best.”

We can’t see Palace bringing in another striker as Vieira likes to play Zaha as the sole forward sometimes and then there’s obviously Matetea and Edouard. Luke Plange might even get a chance upfront, we’ll have to wait and see.

Here’s a post from Benteke’s Instagram showing his highlights from a decade in the Premier League. He’ll now play for former Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, who is managing D.C. United.

Chairman Steve Parish commented on the news: “Christian has played a crucial role in this club’s Premier League journey, making an immediate impact after signing and playing a central role in the squad ever since.

“He’s someone I’ve enjoyed a great relationship with and he’s shown incredible loyalty staying with the club when he could easily have taken other options. We all wish him all the very best with the next stage of his career.”

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Chris Richards Signs on 5-Year Deal From Bayern Munich

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Chris Richards wearing Crystal Palace new home kit

Palace have made their fourth signing of the summer transfer window bringing in American defender Chris Richards from Bayern Munich. The 22-year-old had been linked with the Eagles for over a month and now the £11 million deal has been finalised.

Richards is originally from Alabama but made the move to Germany in 2018 after impressing on a 10-day trial at the Bundesliga title winners. During this time he played the Bayern Munich second team and was loaned out to 1899 Hoffenheim for a season and a half. He made five appearances for the first team during his four years at the club, but is clearly looking for regular football, especially as it’s a World Cup year.

Richards is naturally a centre-back, but he can play as a right-back as well. Palace were always in for a new centre-back to take the pressure of off Guehi and Andersen, but how the three will fit in the starting lineup is a challenge for Vieira. Some fans are thinking that he’ll now switch to a back three with two wing-backs, but we’ll have to wait and see.

The player was excited to sign for the south London club saying: “I grew up watching the Premier League and grew up of course watching [Wilfried] Zaha, so it’ll be cool to spend some time on the field with them [the Palace players] and be a part of this historic club. I’m really excited for it.

“The kind of project I’ve seen [attracted me]. It’s a lot of young players but also young players who have a lot of fight. Palace is a club that seems like they’re always fighting.”

Chairman Steve Parish said: “Chris is a hugely talented young player, and he brings a lot of experience at a high level for his age, as well being an established International for the USA national side.

“I had the great pleasure of spending some time with him and his family yesterday and I know he will be a great fit for the club and I’m sure will become a firm fans’ favourite. Competition can only drive him and our squad on.”

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