Crystal Palace are still hunting for a new central midfielder.
Despite Daichi Kamada signing a new one-year deal in SE25, the Eagles still want one new face in the central midfield department. Southampton No.24 Shea Charles is an option for the UEFA Conference League winners, while Paraguay international Damian Bobadilla has also been linked.
How are we feeling about this news, Crystal Palace fans? 🔴 🔵
Could be one of the most important deals we do this summer 🦅
Before those links emerged, however, a story from BBC Sport claimed as early as April that Crystal Palace were holding talks with Wolves in an attempt to sign Joao Gomes.
There was some optimism that a deal could be done considering Matt Hobbs – Sporting Director at Selhurst Park – signed the Brazilian for Wolves back in January 2023, although the South American is now heading to Aston Villa.
Aston Villa beat Crystal Palace to Joao Gomes
John Townley of Birmingham Live has now revealed that the Brazil international is close to sealing a £35m move to Villa Park.
Gomes is said to have already bid farewell to his teammates at Wolves, and is set to undergo a medical with Aston Villa.
It leaves Charles and Bobadilla as the only remaining midfield targets for Hobbs to pursue, unless there are other names on the list which are yet to be reported. Celtic star Arne Engels has been linked too, although Nottingham Forest look to be in pole position.
Danish news outlet Ekstra Bladet have linked Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard with a move to Crystal Palace, although it is unclear if the Eagles actually want the Denmark international, or whether the Gunners are trying to push him towards Selhurst Park in order to make a move for Bruno Guimaraes.
Sage has enough in his armoury to start the 2026/27 campaign with Adam Wharton and Kamada still around, while Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma are there to deputise.
The talented David Ozoh has also now returned from a loan spell at Derby, adding another option to the central midfield department – although The Athletic have cast doubt on the Crystal Palace academy graduate staying.
Who is your DREAM signing? ⭐️
So, while missing out on Gomes is undoubtedly a shame, it is not that seismic a setback for Crystal Palace – who seemingly need a new backup goalkeeper before anything else right now as Walter Benitez begins to grow disillusioned.
