Crystal Palace want to sign a new central midfielder this summer.
There have already been links to Southampton No.24 Shea Charles – who is valued at £30m – while Oscar Mingueza’s former Celta Vigo teammate Ilaix Moriba has been offered to the Eagles as agents get involved.
Crystal Palace are not looking for a marquee addition who’d cost a fortune after convincing Daichi Kamada to stay and continue his excellent partnership with Adam Wharton – a fairly cheap, reliable option to provide Pierre Sage with some additional depth would fit the bill.
In that respect, a golden opportunity is staring Steve Parish and Matt Hobbs in the face as Club Brugge attempt to sell Raphael Onyedika for peanuts.
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Crystal Palace should get involved in £9m battle to sign Raphael Onyedika
Gazet van Antwerpen claimed back in May 2024 that Onyedika was a target for Crystal Palace while Dougie Freedman was still in place as Director of Football.
Now, after the Nigeria international entered the final 12 months of his contract at Club Brugge, the Belgian giants have put a €10m (£9m) price tag on his head in an attempt to sell now, before losing the midfielder for nothing in 2027.
Fabrizio Romano says Eintracht Frankfurt and Al Ittihad have made bids for Onyedika, so time is of the essence for Crystal Palace if the Eagles do plan to resurrect their interest from May 2024.
Even if there was no prior interest, this seems like such a fantastic market opportunity for just £9m.
Onyedika is only 25 years of age, and can boast vast experience of UEFA Champions League football with 24 appearances in the competition so far.
The Club Brugge No.15 also has 26 caps for Nigeria to his name.
Not only that, but the defensive midfielder can fill in at centre-back or even right-back if need be.
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Of course, Crystal Palace may struggle to compete with the wages on offer from Al Ittihad, but if Eintracht Frankfurt end up securing Onyedika’s signature without competition from the Eagles, questions will have to be asked.
