- David Ornstein on Crystal Palace
- Andoni Iraola interest is real
- Adam Wharton will be expensive
David Ornstein has confirmed that Crystal Palace are keen on appointing Andoni Iraola as Oliver Glasner’s successor. The Eagles are on the lookout for a new manager ahead of Glasner’s departure in June.
Several names have been linked with the Palace job, including Iraola. The Spaniard confirmed earlier this week that he will be leaving Bournemouth once his contract is up at the end of the season.
Reports in Spain claimed that the Eagles had tabled a “multi-million” offer to bring Iraola to Selhurst Park. He has also been linked with a return to his former club Athletic Club, while Villarreal are also admirers.
Crystal Palace ‘Really Keen’ on Iraola
Ornstein, unfortunately, didn’t mention Palace already offering a deal to Iraola. But he did acknowledge their interest when responding to a fan for The Athletic:
“Palace are really keen on him and it would be fascinating to see him there — but no decisions yet. He will assess his options, and Palace have other candidates, too.”
Iraola has become one of the most highly-rated tacticians in the Premier League during his time at the Vitality Stadium. He has steered the Cherries up the table despite losing key men including Antoine Semenyo and Dean Huijsen.
The 43-year-old replaced Gary O’Neil at the South Coast outfit back in July 2023. This season, he’s overseen 10 wins and nine defeats in 34 games across competitions.
Palace ‘Will Demand Very High Fee’ For Wharton
It has long felt likely that Adam Wharton will be the biggest name to depart Palace this summer. The English midfielder has some of Europe’s top clubs chasing his signature amid a superb spell with the South Londoners.
Ornstein touched on Wharton’s situation and revealed that Manchester United view him as a second midfield signing not their top target:
“We know about the widespread admiration for Wharton, but Palace will demand a very high price for him, and it will be interesting to see if anybody is willing to pay it. For example, clubs such as United would see him as an option for a second midfielder signing — not the first, which in their case would be (Elliot) Anderson or another — and therefore they might not want to go anywhere near the level of fee Palace will seek.”
Ornstein didn’t mention how much Palace will likely demand for Wharton but it can be expected to be a huge fee. He’s only 22 and has over three years left on his contract.
Wharton has appeared 44 times across competitions this season, posting seven assists. He sustained an injury in the first half of last night’s UEFA Conference League aggregate win over Fiorentina.
