Crystal Palace fans are enduring a frantic transfer window, and the departures might not be over yet. Following Daniel Muñoz’s £22m switch to Nottingham Forest hot on the heels of Maxence Lacroix and Brennan Johnson exiting the club manager Pierre Sage is wielding the axe.
UEFA’s tighter financial regulations for European competitors have forced the Eagles’ hand, leaving Sage drowning in a bloated squad and drawing clear battle lines over who stays and who goes. Anan Khalaili has already arrived from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for £21m as a replacement, but the revolving door at Selhurst Park is spinning faster than ever.
The Five Players Set for the Exit Door
Sage brutally froze out five distinct names from his matchday squad during the 4-1 collapse against Manchester City, signaling the end of the road for their current stint in south London.
- Justin Devenny: Celtic are actively circling the midfielder as a deadline approaches.
- David Ozoh: Derby County hold a strong interest in securing his signature.
- Borna Sosa: Sky Germany reports that FC Koln are actively weighing up a late swoop for the full-back.
- Romain Esse: Sage openly admits the former Millwall attacker needs a fresh start after a near-miss move to Club Brugge fell through.
- Jesurun Rak-Sakyi: A £4m deal to Charlton is effectively in motion, though rival Championship vultures continue to circle for the Ghana international.
The Wildcards and Blockbuster Rumours
Selhurst Park insiders whisper that the clear-out could stretch far beyond these five names.
Matheus Franca sits in limbo as Fabrizio Romano reports that Crystal Palace remain open to shipping the Brazilian out on another temporary loan spell, despite an impressive pre-season that begged for his retention. Meanwhile, Liverpool are sniffing around Ismaila Sarr for a potential raid, and Aston Villa launched a concrete bid for Jean-Philippe Mateta—though a nagging hamstring injury might just save Palace from losing their talismanic French striker.
Nathaniel Clyne has already walked out the door, Danny Imray sealed a £5m permanent move to Wrexham, and Rio Cardines joined Bristol City on loan.
As the 11pm transfer deadline looms, the question every Palace fan is asking is simple: exactly how much of this squad will remain standing when the dust settles?
