Crystal Palace Set to Sign Takehiro Tomiyasu on a Free Transfer
Crystal Palace are set to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu on a free transfer following a successful trial and are also weighing up a move for winger Solly March, according to BBC Sport. The Japan international’s arrival would hand head coach Pierre Sage a versatile defender to call on as the Eagles firm up their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
What Takehiro Tomiyasu would give Pierre Sage
The report says a broad agreement on terms was already in place, with Sage handed the final call on the 27-year-old, who has won 46 caps for Japan and previously played in the Premier League with Arsenal. Sage is understood to be planning a back three next season, and Tomiyasu is viewed as an option on the left of that trio. BBC Sport notes the former Arsenal man’s recent career has been disrupted by knee problems, so Palace want to be satisfied with his fitness before pressing ahead.
The move is part of a wider defensive rebuild after Maxence Lacroix joined Chelsea earlier in the window. March, 32, who left Brighton at the end of last season, has been recommended and discussed internally at Selhurst Park, while the report adds Palace hold an interest in a loan for Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong and in Brest centre-back Raphael Le Guen. It all feeds into Palace’s busy summer transfer business.
With the window open until the end of the month, expect Tomiyasu’s signing to be tied up first, with the club’s decisions on March and their other targets to follow as Sage shapes his defence for the season ahead.
