Crystal Palace are currently locking horns with Brighton & Hove Albion and AS Monaco for the signature of Montpellier right-back Ruben Aguilar, but just how important is it that a right-back joins before Thursday’s deadline?
According to Sebastien Denis, cited by Get French Football News, the final decision is down to Aguilar but it’s the Eagles who are ‘pushing hardest’ for the 26-year-old.
Twitter: Three-way fight for Montpellier right-back Ruben Aguilar between Crystal Palace, Brighton & AS Monaco, according to… https://t.co/HXPkxWtC9Q (@GFFN)
Read Crystal Palace verdict
Receiving £50million for Aaron Wan-Bissaka after just one season in the first team is an unbelievable bit of business for Palace, but he was *that* important for Roy Hodgson that not replacing him could be catastrophic.
As it stands, Joel Ward is Palace’s only natural right-back with Martin Kelly also capable of playing there, but there’s clear reason to believe both are downgrades on ‘The Spider’.
Wan-Bissaka completed 129 tackles in the Premier League last season, the most out of any defender with only Wilfried Ndidi and Idrissa Gueye topping him overall.
What makes it all the more impressive is that he attempted 139 in total. Yep, that means his success rate was 92.8% and to top it all off, only nine players in total could beat him in a one-on-one.
It’s vital Palace reinvest to fill the hole the 21-year-old has left. Wilfried Zaha seemingly staying is a boost – losing both would have been tough to take – but fans will hope the Aguilar interest is concrete.
It’s set to be a busy few days in South London.
