Crystal Palace enjoyed a great Deadline Day.
A first league win for Sam Allardyce coupled with the arrivals of £12m midfielder Luka Milivojevic from Olympiakos and defender Mamadou Sakho on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season – but it could’ve been even greater.
According to Ghanasoccernet, Crystal Palace were hoping to sign Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina on Deadline Day, but the deal was predicated on the Serie A side bringing in a replacement, namely Roma’s Leandro Paredes.
So far this season, Lemina has made 14 appearances for Juventus in all competitions, including just six Serie A starts, and he was also wanted by West Brom, as well as Schalke and RB Leipzig.
Juventus were prepared to let the former Marseille midfielder leave, but they failed to complete a deal for Roma’s Paredes meaning Massimiliano Allegri was unwilling to let the 23-year-old leave Turin.
Fortunately, the Eagles were able to sign Milivojevic to come and play in central midfield meaning missing out on Lemina has not hit the club as hard as it possibly could have.
