- Crystal Palace in advanced talks for ‘next Andy Robertson’
- Facing competition for Harris Afzal
- Why Eagles may succeed in pursuit
Crystal Palace are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of highly rated Scottish left-back Harris Afzal. The race is on for the exciting full-back and it appears Steve Parish’s transfer chiefs are eager to prevail.
TEAMtalk reports that the teenager, dubbed the ‘next Andy Robertson’, is currently in London as the Eagles attempt to lure him to join one of the brightest academies in the country.
Difficult deal to strike
It was revealed earlier this month that Palace had agreed a £40,000 fee and sell-on clause with Scottish Championship side Queens Park. But Southampton have too been keen on signing the youngster.
The Saints had struck a similar deal with Queens Park, and the clubs are now reportedly in a fight to secure his signature.
Palace will be hoping that the recent success of their academy, paired with the state-of-the-art facilities and route to the first team, will be enough to sway Afzal.
Scottish Premiership side Rangers are also reportedly interested, but it’s rumoured that Afzal prefers a move to England as he furthers his development.
The comparisons to Premier League winner Andy Robertson don’t just come from Afzal’s position, but also the potential route he may take in his career. Robertson, too, was an export from Queens Park, signing for Hull City before his big move to Liverpool, where he established himself as one of the best left-backs the league has seen.
With a decision approaching, this is a signing Palace will be hoping they don’t miss out on. Parish is looking to build for the future alongside bolstering the squad for the present this summer.
Where Palace can convince, Saints can too
What makes this situation unpredictable is that both Palace and Southampton can offer similar promises to the player. Both sides have numerous examples of youth players breaking into first-team set-ups, and both have highly regarded academy sides.
Of course, should he choose Palace and his career go to plan, Afzal would not be the first academy full-back to graduate to the first team.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka played over 45 times for the first team before a £48.5 million move to Manchester United. Tyrick Mitchell was signed from Brentford’s academy when it was folded, and has played 231 times for Palace, becoming one of the most reliable and consistent Premier League left-backs.
The pathway is clearly there at Palace, as it is too down in Southampton, but Palace will be hoping that their Premier League status and recent academy success will be enough to earn the signature of such a promising youngster.
