Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is understood to be closing in on the signing of former Swansea target and Benfica winger Ola John, according to Graeme Bailey of Goal.
The 23-year-old who has won eight domestic cups during his short career has met Eagles boss Alan Pardew according to the report, which also suggests that the manager who joined the club in January is confident of securing a deal for the player that won the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga with Benfica in 2014/15.
John was on the verge of joining Swansea City last summer, with it being a move that the player very much wanted with him having the “best feeling” with the Welsh side. Despite having two-years left on his contract at the Portuguese club however, they are prepared to let him go and cash in on his departure after the discussed move failed to take place.
Speaking to Voetbal International, the brother and agent of Ola John, expressed that it has been a dream of his to play in the Premier League and that the club that have followed Swansea City behind the failed transfer are close to agreeing a contract with him.
“It has always been a dream of Ola’s to play in the Premier League,” Collins John said.
“Some other clubs in the Premier League were interested, but Ola had the best feeling with Swansea City.
“Last season Swansea already tried to sign Ola, but the transfer failed at the very last moment. The club followed him after that in the hope of agreeing a contract with him. That moment is very close.”
The winger made 36 appearances for Benfica last season in all competitions, scoring four goals and making seven goals for his teammates; his appearances last season included two in the latter stages of the group stages in the Champions League, in which he featured for the final eight minutes in his Benfica’s 1-0 defeat to Zenit St. Petersburg and in the 0-0 draw with Bayern Leverkusen where he featured for a full 90 minutes.
Ola John started his professional career with FC Twente after progressing from their academy in 2010 before moving to his current club two years later. The one-time Netherlands international has featured for the international side at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level with the highest amount of appearances coming with the latter of which he made 13 appearances for.
