Crystal Palace experienced a busier summer transfer window than most Premier League clubs.
After a stunning end to the 2023/24 campaign – which involved eight wins from our last ten games – Oliver Glasner faced widespread interest in his best players at Selhurst Park.
Michael Olise was plucked by Bayern Munich, Fulham took Joachim Andersen, and Newcastle made four bids to sign Marc Guehi – all of which were rejected.
There was also interest from Arsenal and Tottenham in Eberechi Eze – with Crystal Palace so convinced that the England international would leave, Dougie Freedman even prepared his replacement…
Crystal Palace lined up Johan Bakayoko in case Eberechi Eze left
A story from the Daily Mail now states that Crystal Palace planned to sign Johan Bakayoko from PSV Eindhoven in case Eze was poached.
It is said that, after Manchester United and Manchester City joined Arsenal and Tottenham in showing a desire to sign the Crystal Palace No.10 this summer, Freedman was utterly convinced an exit would happen.
In fact, Steve Parish has even admitted he was “astounded” nobody bid for Eze over the summer.
Therefore, the Glaswegian moved to sign Belgium international Bakayoko from PSV Eindhoven – a player who is believed to have a value of £38m, according to Dutch news outlet GVA.
The PSV Eindhoven No.11 worked his way onto Freedman’s radar after an outstanding 2023/24 campaign, in which he scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 48 appearances.
For those after a comparison, Bakayoko has actually been likened to Arsenal No.7 Bukayo Saka by Adrian Clarke, who said: “Their (PSV Eindhoven) most exciting player, and most dangerous player is the right winger. A kid called Johan Bakayoko.
“He’s quick, he’s like Saka, he’s their version of Saka. He plays off the right and is left-footed.”
Belgium international was the Michael Olise replacement
“He plays off the right and is left-footed.”
Sound familiar?
In our view, Bakayoko was Freedman’s chosen replacement for Olise – not Eze – despite how the Daily Mail have reported this news.
The £17m man Eze is a right-footed attacking midfielder who cuts inside from the left, so it feels unlikely that the Belgian would have arrived to replace him, as he plays in the opposite position.
We believe Freedman’s plan was for Bakayoko to take Olise’s spot on the right, and one of Glasner’s existing right footers, such as Daichi Kamada or Matheus Franca, would have taken Eze’s role on the left.
Whatever happens going forward, it is pleasing to hear that Crystal Palace did have a similar player to Olise lined up, and hopefully, a deal can be revisited in 2025.
