File photo dated 23-11-2019 of Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson.
Crystal Palace: Eagles plan to sign “wonderkid”
Roy Hodgson’s men have been keeping tabs on the child for some time.
Crystal Palace are reportedly ready to make a play for a “wonderkid” after tracking him for some time.
What is the most recent Crystal Palace transfer rumor?
Palace are close to signing a new contract with Eberechi Eze, which may be a significant boost given that the Englishman has attracted the attention of a number of Premier League clubs, including reigning champions Manchester City.
Not only are the Eagles willing to hold down some of their top attacking players, having already extended Michael Olise’s contract at Selhurst Park, but they may also look to sign a new forward in the January transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Hugo Ekitike being mentioned.
According to Football Insider, Roy Hodgson’s side will compete for the 21-year-old alongside West Ham United, with both teams believing he might be one of the best choices available on the market in mid-season. Crystal Palace are not the only club interested in Ekitike, with The Sun reporting that they have been placed on red alert for 17-year-old Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray.
Everton are also said to be interested in the Leeds midfielder, whom the Eagles have been following for some time, and the report says that his present club might be willing to let him depart if they failed to get promotion from the Championship this season.
Palace are currently considering a move for the midfielder, who is considered as a feasible alternative to Blackburn Rovers’ Adam Wharton, who may wind up being too expensive, though it is unknown how much Leeds would try to hold out for.
The article speculates that Gray might assist fill the vacuum left by Olise should the attacking midfielder depart the club in the near future, with Manchester City and Chelsea remaining interested despite him signing a new contract.
How talented is Archie Gray?
The fact that the teenager has already broken into the Leeds first squad despite being only 17 years old is a sure sign that he might be bound for great things, thus it is wonderful news that Palace are interested in signing him.
The Englishman has appeared in all of Leeds’ Championship games this season, primarily as a defensive midfielder, though he has also played in central and attacking areas on occasion, demonstrating his versatility.
Jacek Kulig, a football talent scout, has described the young maestro as a “wonderkid” and “one of the most talented in world football,” so it is apparent that he has a lot of potential and may improve his game further at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles have a reputation for signing Championship players and developing them, having bought Olise from Reading in 2021 and Eze from QPR in 2020, and it will be thrilling if Gray is the next kid through the door.
