Walter Benitez seems likely to leave Crystal Palace this summer.
The Argentina international went from being a regular for PSV Eindhoven in the 2024/25 campaign – amassing 46 appearances across all competitions as the Dutch giants won the Eredivisie – to making only eight appearances for the Eagles last term as Dean Henderson kept the No.1 shirt.
It was recently suggested that Benitez wants to leave Selhurst Park by Jean-Pierre Rivere. The Frenchman, who just vacated his role as co-president of OGC Nice, said: “We spoke with Walter a few months ago, and I can tell you one thing. This boy dreams of coming back to play for OGC Nice.”
The 33-year-old South American told Nice-Matin (via GFFN) in response: “It’s true that, here, I feel at home.”
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Now – according to Index – Crystal Palace have made a move which suggests Benitez will be allowed to leave, as an offer is made to Dominik Livakovic.
Crystal Palace present offer to Dominik Livakovic
The Croatia international – who just made four appearances at the World Cup – is eager to leave Fenerbahce this summer, having spent last season on loan at Girona and then Dinamo Zagreb.
Livakovic – who Fenerbahce signed from Dinamo Zagreb in August 2023 for a sum of €6.7m (£6m) – also has an offer from Torino, but a report from Croatian news outlet Germanijak claimed in May that the man born in Zadar wants a move to London this summer.
Therefore, Crystal Palace would appear to be in pole position.
Fenerbahce have already moved on after signing Ederson from Manchester City last summer, and are happy to let Livakovic leave this summer for just €3m (£2.6m) – less than half the £6m fee they spent to sign him.
The 31-year-old would be unlikely to oust Henderson if a move to Crystal Palace materialised, but in terms of his credentials as a backup goalkeeper, he is arguably overqualified.
Livakovic can boast 79 caps for Croatia and was widely regarded as one of the stars of the 2022 World Cup, delivering some outstanding displays as his country finished third. It was his performance at this tournament which prompted Fenerbahce to sign the glovesman.
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With Benitez still under contract until July 2028, it could prove to be a shrewd piece of business to land Livakovic for only £2.6m if OGC Nice – or another club – give us a small transfer fee surpassing that amount for the Argentine, which would go down as 100% profit considering he was signed for free last summer.
