Sheffield United midfielder and present contract rebel John Lundstram has been linked with a move to SE25 in a bargain deal – but Lundstram would likely be surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace have been handed a transfer boost ahead of the January transfer window after it emerged that the Premier League side will sanction the departure of a contract rebel in January.
According to The Star, English midfielder John Lundstram, who is entering the final year of his contract with Sheffield United, has been allowed to leave by the Sheffield board before the expiration of his contract as they look to recoup a nominal transfer fee.
With Lundstram unlikely to sign a new deal, the midfielder could be available for a minimal fee and would represent a superb bargain by the club – but does Hodgson’s side need any new midfield reinforcements?
The Eagles boast significant depth at present. James McArthur, Luka Milivojevic, James McCarthy, Max Meyer and Jairo Riedewald are just some of the key figures on the Eagles’ books at present.
Unless the Eagles were planning to lose any of them in the near future, Lundstram would face intense competition for starting XI places in SE25. Instead, the Eagles would be better off reinforcing positions lacking in depth.
It should be noted that Riedewald and Meyer are among a number of figures out of contract in the summer; were they to leave on free transfers, perhaps that would open up the case for Lundstram to make the move to SE25.
Lundstram has found the net 8 times since departing Oxford United in 2017 and helped the Blades to comfortably remain in the Premier League in the 2019/20 season – even scoring the winner against the Eagles in their 1-0 home victory in a game that was tinged with disappointment for Eagles fans.
He was offered a contract previously, but all parties have yet to reach a breakthrough.; hence why other clubs are circling him for his signature.
Evidently, he offers some threat going forward, though that is not his primary duty.
Burnley and Rangers were also reportedly monitoring Lundstram’s situation over the summer window, but the club received no formal bids or enquiries for their contract rebel. If Palace want Lundstram in a cheap deal, they will almost certainly face stiff competition for Lundstram’s signature.
Whether Lundstram should join is entirely situational; unless Palace are set to lose a few of their own midfielders on the cheap, a deal for Lundstram would be fruitless for all concerned.
