- Crystal Palace eyeing Natan
- Real Betis’ stance revealed
- Jaydee Canvot form could prove decisive
Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing Real Betis defender Natan ahead of the summer transfer window. The Brazilian has earned plaudits amid a fine season in La Liga.
Reports claim that Palace are in a race with West Ham United, Bournemouth and Brentford for the Betis man. A £45m fee could be required to sign the 25-year-old who only arrived at the Spanish club last summer.
There is also interest from Serie A, which makes the South Londoners’ mission even more difficult. But he does fit the bill to come into a defence that will have a new manager at the helm once Oliver Glasner departs.
Natan Update amid Palace Interest
Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo have cast doubts over Natan leaving Betis and suggested the La Liga outfit are in “no rush” to sell. They want at least €40m and believe his value will only increase if he continues to impress.
Natan has appeared 37 times across competitions this season, helping Manuel Pellegrini’s side keep 12 clean sheets. He is dominant in the air, an aggressive defender who is also solid on the ball.
Palace are believed to be eyeing a new centre-back following Marc Guehi’s move to Manchester City in January. But Jaydee Canvot’s fine form can’t rule out the higher-ups opting to leave the defence as is and focus on other areas of the squad.
Defensive Decisions
Canvot will be eager to build on his promising debut season at Selhurst Park and that could mean he becomes an undisputed starter under Glasner’s replacement. The young Frenchman arrived from Toulouse last summer for around £20m.
The 19-year-old has made 24 appearances across competitions and shown maturity beyond his years. He recently downplayed suggestions he’s Guehi’s direct replacement.
The pressure of replacing Guehi has been somewhat nullified by Canvot’s incredible start in South London. Such has been his superb adaptation to life in the Premier League that it might allow the board to make more expensive additions to the squad in other areas.
A new central midfielder seems a certainty ahead of Daichi Kamada’s departure when his contract expires. Adam Wharton is also heavily linked with a big-money move away amid interest from Manchester United and Liverpool.
If a new centre-back is desired, it isn’t only Natan who is on the club’s shortlist. They remain interested in Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande, and the Portuguese club is thought to be open to negotiating a fee below his hefty release clause.
