It wouldn’t be Crystal Palace if they didn’t leave the majority of their transfer business until the end of the window and that hasn’t changed with the arrival of Alan Pardew contributing to that with Neil Warnock’s transfer plans going out of the window and into a compactor far far away…
There’s less than a week until the window closes so here is all the latest rumours for you in one place where you can sit back, relax, read and rejoice (or cry).
Souaré Makes a Step Closer to Premier League Move
The Senegalese left-back Pape Souaré made a step closer to becoming a Crystal Palace player yesterday after having a medical with a delegation from the club that were sent to Equatorial Guinea, where the player was representing his country in the African Cup of Nations.
A deal has been agreed in the region of £3.4m with the defender set to complete his move to the club on a three-and-a-half year contract later on in the week with the deadline fast approaching, it could be too early for the player to feature against Everton on Saturday following his recent appearance at the African Cup of Nations but he will slowly be making his way to South London as Senegal were knocked out of the tournament.
The 24-year-old has made 22 appearances for the French side this season, playing a number of games in the Coupe de la Ligue, Europa League and Lille’s attempt at Champions League football through the qualification stages at the start of the season. Over those games he hasn’t offered much going forward but has put in a number of good defensive performances this season which could help to build a more solid wall at the back of Palace’s line-up.
Souaré’s move to Crystal Palace has already been confirmed by the Senegalese FA with a tweet last night reading: “Pape Souare is heading to @CPFC. Wishing our brother great success with #CPFC.”
O’Keefe Heading to Wales
Crystal Palace midfielder, Stuart O’Keefe is set to leave the club over the next few days after the player completed a medical at Welsh club Cardiff City on Tuesday ahead of a permanent move to the side that are currently playing in the Championship after being relegated from the Premier League last season.
The 23-year-old is set to become Cardiff’s fourth signing of the transfer window with terms reportedly being agreed between the two teams and the player himself with O’Keefe spending time at the club today, completing paperwork and training with his new-team mates over the coming day before his debut against Derby on Saturday at the Cardiff City Stadium.
O’Keefe has made 51 appearances since joining the club in August 2010 from Southend United, scoring his only first-team competitive goal against Sunderland last season, a goal that will be remembered by most Palace fans when he scored a screamer from outside of the area in the 3-1 win.
Mutch Closing in on Palace Move
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Jordon Mutch is understood to be closing in to a move to Selhurst Park after holding talks with Alan Pardew at the Eagles’ Beckenham training ground today about a proposed move.
The 23-year-old has failed to make an impact under Harry Redknapp at Loftus Road this season after joining from Cardiff City summer, when he moved to the club for £5million after his former side slipped into the Championship after being relegated from the Premier League.
Crystal Palace have had one bid turned down for the midfielder from the West London club but they are keen to sign the player for a fee around £4m which looks set to include a number of add-ons.
Back for Good – Wilfried Zaha?
If you were on Twitter last night, you would have probably been left guessing for a number of hours what story could possibly be bigger than Stuart O’Keefe leaving for a club in another country and Pardew signing a left back from Lille who was playing at the African Cup of Nations – well, it was this story.
Crystal Palace are understood to be on the verge of re-signing the former Eagles youngster from Manchester United for a fee believed to be around £3m including £3m in add-ons for future performances as he has been deemed surplus at Old Trafford since joining the club in January 2012 when Sir Alex Ferguson was still at the helm of the club.
The 22-year-old has made 18 appearances for Palace this season with only just a goal to his name but his recent performances under Alan Pardew has proven why he is worthy of playing time at the club which is close to his heart. Speaking to the media after Saturday’s game against Southampton, Wilfried Zaha said:
“I have a smile on my face because I am back on the pitch. I enjoy playing football, so when I am on the pitch I am happy.
“It is about having trust in me. This gaffer has put trust in me and I am trying to give it back and performing for the team.”
You can read more of his comments on his recent playing career and how Crystal Palace is his home – click here.
