Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly eyeing one of Scottish football’s most exciting attackers ahead of the summer transfer window. The Premier League rivals are both expected to explore the market for a new striker and are keen on Hearts’ Claudio Braga.
According to Sports Boom, both clubs have Braga on their radars amid his impressive debut season with Hearts. The Portuguese striker has been a key man in Derek McInnes side’s title challenge with his side sitting top of the Scottish Premiership.
Braga joined the Jam Tarts from Norweigan outfit Aalesund last summer for £520,000. He might already be on the move come the end of the season and the Premier League is a potential destination.
Palace and Brighton’s Braga battle
Braga has earned rave reviews at Hearts, bagging 15 goals in 35 games for McInnes’ side. The 26-year-old sits third in the SPL goalscoring charts, but finding the back of the net isn’t his only impressive attribute.
The Portuguese forward is versatile and full of energy, constantly pressing the opposition. He’s also assured on the ball and has caught the eye for his dribbling.
McInnes gave a glowing verdict ahead of his arrival at Tynecastle Park last summer. The Scottish coach said (via Hearts Standard):
“There is great potential there but also exceptional ability. He is a technically gifted player, he’s got a goalscoring pedigree but is also versatile and can play across the front.”
| Claudio Braga (Scottish Premiership 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 29 |
| Goals: | 12 |
| Expected goals (xG): | 11.18 |
| Scoring frequency (in mins): | 183min |
| Goals per game: | 0.4 |
| Total shots: | 2.6 |
| Shots on target per game: | 1.2 |
| Goal conversion: | 16% |
Palace and Brighton aren’t the only ones showing interest in Braga. Celtic are also admirers and have added him to their summer shortlist.
One of the interested clubs are said to be preparing a £5m bid for the Portuguese attacker. Burnley tried signing him in January but a move didn’t come to fruition for the Clarets.
A Mateta replacement?
Palace are preparing for life without Oliver Glasner and a transfer window where they will be signing players for a new manager. There’s no sign of who Steve Parish has made his top candidate ahead of Glasner’s departure in June.
The Austrian coach might not be the only high-profile exit as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future remains in doubt. The French striker was close to joining AC Milan in January but failed a medical ahead of a proposed £30m deal.
Mateta returned to Selhurst Park and will be back in action for the Eagles despite pushing to leave in the winter. He might still be eyeing a move this summer, and reports link him with Newcastle United.
If Mateta were to leave, it appears Palace are keen on signing a replacement despite the arrival of Jorgen Strand Larsen. Eddie Nketiah’s constant injury struggles have been an issue for the club.
