Crystal Palace have been dealt a huge blow after France Under-19 goalkeeper Alban Lafont arrived in Italy to complete his move to Fiorentina, according to a report on Football Italia.
The shot-stopper has been closely monitored by a number of clubs and Palace boss Roy Hodgson was keen on bringing him to Selhurst Park.
However, the Toulouse goalkeeper seems to have made his decision after arriving in Italy to undergo his medical with Fiorentina to seal a €8.5 million move.
The 19-year-old is very highly rated and could go on to become one of the sport’s best goalkeepers, so Fiorentina are understandably pleased to have fought off all competition for his signature.
Lafont is tipped to take the number one squad number in Florence and is a direct replacement for the departing Marco Sportiello.
The teenager has been the number one for Ligue 1 side Toulouse for two seasons, playing 36 times in the league in 2016-17 and 38 times in 2017-18.
At such a young age, the Frenchman has plenty of experience but will not be able to join up with the Fiorentina squad until next month because he is set to play for France at the Under-19 European Championships later this month.
Hodgson will now need to look elsewhere to improve his goalkeeping department.
