Crystal Palace carried out some impressive business during the summer transfer window.
Yeremy Pino has started well following a £21.6m move from Villarreal, while Walter Benitez showed his class in the Carabao Cup win over Millwall.
Jaydee Canvot also impressed in that south London derby at Selhurst Park – and the Frenchman has now revealed why he chose Crystal Palace over Aston Villa.
Jaydee Canvot says the growth of Crystal Palace enticed him to join
The France U21 international sealed a £16m move to SE25 from Toulouse on transfer deadline day in September, but had the opportunity to team up with Unai Emery instead of Oliver Glasner.
Canvot told L’Equipe: “It was long (negotiations over exit) because there were several clubs interested. I had to choose the right club for me. Crystal Palace are growing year on year.
“Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me if I’m the record sale (of Toulouse) or not. I just wanted to go to a team where I felt good. I didn’t want to leave for the sake of leaving, otherwise I would have stayed at Toulouse.”
L’Equipe specifically state that Aston Villa made Canvot an offer.
Not only did Crystal Palace beat the Villans to his signature, but just 24 hours before sealing this £16m move, the Eagles also thumped Aston Villa 3-0 at Villa Park to add insult to injury.
It cemented the belief that Glasner has Emery well and truly found out – the Austrian has now won five and drawn one of his six encounters against the Spaniard.
Jaydee Canvot could become a starter sooner than expected
The 19-year-old was signed as one for the future, but he could potentially find himself in the starting XI as early as January.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are keen on Marc Guehi – along with Bayern Munich and Liverpool – with the England international set to become a free agent in July.
However – amid such fierce competition for his signature – one of these European giants could simply make Steve Parish an offer in the January transfer window, in an attempt to jump ahead of the chasing pack and bring a deal forward.
It would be a surprise if Guehi left this winter, but considering that window represents the last chance we have to receive a fee for the defender, it is a possibility which cannot be discounted.
