Crystal Palace could be about to see a target lost to Southampton as the Saints emerge as favourites for Matias Soule.
January’s transfer window seems set to be a busy one for Crystal Palace with multiple incoming and outgoings all being suggested in recent weeks.
There seem to also be multiple positions on the agenda with the attack seeming the priority but reports have also pointed toward a defender being brought in, primarily Trevoh Chalobah who has been substantially linked.
Along with players coming and going, it seems that a managerial change is also looming with reports suggesting Steve Cooper is due to enter talks with Palace after his dismissal by the Nottingham Forest hierarchy.
However, one target could be about to be lost, in the form of talented Argentine winger Matias Soule as he has yielded interest from multiple clubs.
Last week, Palace were reported to have been ready to bid for the youngster, but now they aren’t leading the race to sign him.
Southampton now leading Matias Soule race
Soule seemed like a signing that was in Palace’s hands just a week ago but now Southampton are the favourites. According to Calcio Mercato, Southampton have taken the ‘decisive’ steps ‘above all’ in the race to sign Soule.
But despite the Saints leading the race, the thinking is it’ll be difficult to convince all parties of a deal so expensive in January (€30m or £26m). This is because Southampton are in the Championship so Soule likely wouldn’t want to risk joining until he knows where they’ll play next season.
The report then adds that the situation could be different if a Premier League side makes the steps toward a deal. Therefore, the door absolutely remains open for Palace to make a move to bring the Angel Di Maria-esque forward to Selhurst Park.
Do Palace need Soule?
This isn’t a black-and-white question and depends on a few different things. Firstly, if Palace are going to retain Michael Olise long-term, Soule probably isn’t needed.
The 20-year-old primarily is a right-winger which is a position Palace don’t need to spend £26m on. But if Olise is expected to leave in the not-too-distant future, there is a strong case to be made that Soule should be signed.
Soule is a very exciting talent and a player who would light up Selhurst Park but the money can be used elsewhere for now at least.
So if Southampton are keen to spend that much on him, then hopefully Palace don’t panic and bring him in with no plan.
