- Palace out of the race for Wolves star
- Atletico Madrid leading the race
- Palace turn attention elsewhere
Crystal Palace had been keen to strike a deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers for Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes. Valued at €45m by the club which will finish bottom of the Premier League, it now appears as if Palace have missed the boat.
Aggregator Ben Jacobs has revealed that Atletico Madrid are closing in on an agreement to sign the Brazilian for a fee in the region of €45 million.
Whilst Atleti still have interest in alternative midfield options, it looks increasingly likely that Gomes will be on his way to the Spanish capital this Summer, as Palace look elsewhere for options.
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Palace’s interest in Gomes
Despite Wolverhampton Wanderers’ dismal season, Gomes has been a standout figure, hence the growing interest in acquiring his services.
His ability to transfer to the English top flight and phase in so well, even with his speech issues, and the now 25-year-old is maturing into a top player.
At just 5”9, Gomes has not struggled to adapt to and meet the physical demands of the Premier League.
Four seasons in England with Wolves has moulded him into a consistent performer, which has seen the likes of Atleti coming into the race for his signature.
When a club of that stature, Champions League semi-finalists from this season enter the race, there is little a club of Palace’s position can do to sway the player back in their favour.
What next for Palace’s midfield rebuild?
We have been covering the development of this transfer saga on ReadCrystalPalace, and it now looks as if it is coming to a close which does not see the outcome Palace may have been hoping for.
Interest in alternative options has arisen recently, and Palace have turned their focus back towards Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, who could come at a cut-price fee in the region of £12 million should Boro fail to earn promotion via the playoffs.
Hackney, although 23, would suit the club’s recent model of signing young talent from lower divisions and platforming them in the Premier League.
Kodai Sano is another name who Palace have previously been linked with, and is another midfielder with a very similar skillset to Hackney.
It is clear that Palace are in need of midfield reinforcements. Daichi Kamada will likely leave upon the departure of Oliver Glasner, and with doubts surrounding Cheick Doucoure’s long term fitness, depth is a must.
The names being linked are certainly exciting ones, and Palace fans should keep a close eye on how this ongoing midfield saga unfolds.
