Matt Hobbs accepted an offer to become the new Sporting Director at Crystal Palace back in August, replacing Dougie Freedman.
That was according to The Athletic. The Englishman was quickly given a hefty budget to spend over the winter as Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brennan Johnson arrived for fees of £48m and £35m respectively.
The latter deal is yet to work out as Johnson only has two assists to show for his efforts in 20 appearances for Crystal Palace.
£48m for Larsen also seems steep considering the Norwegian has netted just three goals in 14 appearances so far – and a report from Foot Mercato now suggests Steve Parish may already be looking to replace Hobbs.
Crystal Palace have spoken to Gregory Lorenzi
The French news outlet have now posted a story claiming that Gregory Lorenzi is set to become the new Sporting Director at OGC Nice.
However, within the article, it is written that a move to England was a possibility for the Frenchman, as talks were held with Crystal Palace.
Lorenzi helped form the Brest side which impressively finished third in Ligue 1 in the 2023/24 campaign, earning qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
Having only hired Hobbs – who Wolves fans liked – as recently as August, this is certainly a strange development for Crystal Palace fans to digest.
Foot Mercato add nothing more on Crystal Palace and Lorenzi, but the mere fact talks took place suggests Parish either wants to replace Hobbs already, or is eager to bring another recruitment specialist in to help the former Wolves man.
We are admittedly unimpressed with the work Hobbs did in the winter transfer window – as things stand at least – so a change in that department would not go amiss.
It could also be argued that the Englishman has very few contacts outside of his former club Wolves, amid reports Crystal Palace are trying to sign Joao Gomes and Santiago Bueno from Molineux, after already taking Strand Larsen in February.
It remains to be seen whether another Sporting Director is targeted now Lorenzi is heading to OGC Nice, but the story from Foot Mercato unquestionably raises some doubts over Hobbs.
