Prior to the January transfer window, Oliver Glasner acknowledged that his Crystal Palace team lacked Romain Esse’s profile. Esse’s signing was revealed at the London Stadium on Saturday morning prior to the match. To sign the Lambeth-born winger to a five-and-a-half-year contract, the Eagles paid the Lions a club-record £14.5 million.

Esse, a left-footed player who primarily plays on the right flank, made 66 appearances for Millwall after rising through the ranks of their development squad. Adam Wharton, Michael Olise, and Eberechi Eze all made headlines while they were at Selhurst Park, and Palace has had great success bringing in players from the Championship.

Olise, who shares Esse’s function, left the Eagles in the summer to sign a £50 million contract with Bayern Munich. Glasner stated, “He’s a young player who will be a typical Crystal Palace signing.” Young players from the Championship have been a huge success for Crystal Palace. “We will work with Romain in the same way that they assist young players in their development.”

We’ll help him along the way and make sure he learns the difference between Premier League and Championship football as soon as possible. “I’m thrilled that he gives us an additional attack option.” Esse was observed by Eagles sporting director Dougie Freedman prior to the January window.

Before making the move, Esse contributed five goals in 24 Championship games for the Lions this season. “Dougie has known him for a longer time – we have a great scouting team,” Glasner continued. “After evaluating our performance, we might ask, ‘What profile could we add to the team that we don’t have?’” “We knew we had a player who could make fantastic runs in behind with Ismaila.” Playing into the box was not one of his strongest skills at first, but he greatly improved.

Whether it’s to JP, the other ten, or the wing-backs, Romain is a very smart player who can find the space in the pocket and then pass. “He can get better; his Championship numbers aren’t particularly impressive, but he’s only 19.” He has excellent character. Dougie is well familiar with him. “I spoke with him [Romain], and he’s paying attention because he wants to get better and learn.” “This character and having excellent talents are just what we were hoping for.

“To be a little bit critical, it took a little bit too long to get the signing done. But it is better at the middle of the transfer window than at the end.”

 

That prediction is set to be proven right, with Pete O’Rourke reporting: “Romain Esse is currently undergoing his medical at Crystal Palace ahead of his move from Millwall.” The fee involved in the deal is reportedly £14.5million.

 

It comes after current Lions boss Alex Neil called for a deal to be struck so that Millwall could plan for Esse’s replacement. Neil told the BBC: “We want it done for the lad as much as anything else, you know. Being in limbo’s not a good situation for anyone because if it’s not going to get completed, I would be delighted for him to stay, and I’m sure everyone else at the club would be. But if it’s going to happen, let’s get it across the line, let’s get it finalised, and we can start to plan what our next steps look like.”

 

Edouard on the move

It emerged last week that MLS side Atlanta United were expressing interest in Palace striker Odsonne Edouard, who is currently on loan with Leicester City and struggling to impress.

 

 

 

Benfica are determined to only sell Jan Niklas Beste this month and won’t let him leave on loan with an option to buy as Crystal Palace circle.

 

That’s according to Correio da Manhã, who say the Portuguese side are determined to secure €12m for the winger this month.

 

The newspaper reports that Mainz are the latest to show an interest in Beste, who is very much up for sale in this window.

 

They’ve been added to a list that includes Borussia Monchengladbach, RB Leipzig, Stuttgart, Crystal Palace and Brentford.

 

They’ve all shown an interest in the player, but Benfica have put their foot down. They will only accept a €12m bid outright. They won’t do a deal for a loan with an option to buy.

 

O Jogo back this up, stating that the list of suitors for Beste continues to grow. All of these suitors, including Crystal Palace, have started contacts with the player’s agents.

 

They have a different take on Benfica’s stance, though. According to them, the Portuguese side don’t want to sell. That is largely due to the fact that they would have to find a replacement. That is something they don’t seem to want to do this month.

 

Of course, an offer of cash up front can always change that, but it feels optimistic at best from them to target €12m upfront.

 

They paid around €8m and there’s already been suggestions that may be enough.

 

 

SITTING just five points above the relegation zone after 20 games, Crystal Palace are at a crossroads this month.

 

A run of just one win from their first 13 Premier League games left boss Oliver Glasner under pressure.

 

 

Crystal Palace players celebrating a goal.

Crystal Palace’s season is not going as hoped after an awful start to the campaignCredit: PA

Oliver Glasner, manager of Crystal Palace.

Oliver Glasner will want to strengthen – but he’s at threat of having his team weakenedCredit: AFP

But the Eagles have found their feet again, taking points from Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle, Aston Villa and, most recently, Chelsea.

 

But with Palace 15th and with just four victories all season – a 20 per cent win rate – they face a critical few weeks.

 

Can they strengthen in the transfer market? Or will they be ransacked of their top stars?

 

SunSport take a look at just why Crystal Palace are facing a potentially make-or-break month.

 

 

Eddie Nketiah was signed in the summer and has been used across the front three but is yet to get going in South London.

 

Palace are also in the market for a left-back this month as they look to find some cover for Tyrick Mitchell.

 

Premier League stadium looks unrecognisable in incredible new plans to redevelop main stand

Eddie Nketiah’s 2024-25 Crystal Palace season statistics.

 

Mitchell remains the first-choice at Selhurst Park but Glasner has no senior cover at left-back.

 

Slavia Prague’s El Hadji Malick Diouf, 20, has been targeted to add some depth and challenge for a starting spot.

 

The Eagles have seen a £15million bid knocked back by the Anfield club, who are holding out for up to £30m for the 19-year-old winger.

 

 

It is hard to see Palace matching that, unless Marc Guehi ends up leaving for a big fee and the club have a lot more money to play with.

 

Rayan Cherki, Lyon’s highly rated Frenchman, is also admired and with the Ligue 1 club needing to sell could be an option.

 

However, there is plenty of interest in Cherki, 21, and it could take some convincing to get him to Selhurst Park.

 

Ben Doak’s 2024-25 Middlesbrough season statistics.

 

Rayan Cherki’s 2024-25 Lyon season stats: 12 games, 24 chances created, 342 passes, 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 tackles, 7 fouls.

Who is more realistic?

Palace have been tracking Millwall’s teenage winger Romain Esse for some time.

 

The Lions will not want to lose the 19-year-old this month and there are questions as to whether he could come in and make an instant impact for Palace.

 

There are also issues to be resolved over a deal with the player’s camp before anything can progress but Palace have a superb record of recruiting from the Championship and are looking to pull off another smart deal.

 

 

Romain Esse’s 2024-25 Millwall season statistics.

How are the finances looking?

There are no concerns over meeting the Premier League’s PSR rules at Palace.

 

However, with the largest shareholder, John Textor, looking to sell his stake in the club there may be some hesitance to spend big this month.

 

Textor has long been looking for a way out at Palace after his relationship with chairman Steve Parish broke down.

 

 

Despite holding the smallest share, Parish has equal voting rights with all other shareholders and effectively has final say on decision making – which has been a frustration for Textor.

 

A number of parties have explored buying out his share, or investing into his Eagle Football Holdings group.

 

The American businessman, who also owns Lyon, Botafogo and RWD Molenbeek, is now in exclusive negotiations with a US-Saudi backed group for his 45 per cent share in the club.

 

Marc Guéhi’s 2024-25 Crystal Palace season statistics.

 

Could anyone be on their way out?

At the start of the window few would have worried about losing anyone significant.

 

But then Chelsea lost defender Wesley Fofana and suddenly took a look across London.

 

 

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has given insight into his “great partnership” with sporting director Dougie Freedman.

 

Freedman manages the recruitment at the South London club, with his stellar talent identification bringing the likes of Michael Olise (now departed for Bayern Munich), Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix to Crystal Palace.

 

Despite interest from Newcastle and Manchester United earlier this term, the former Eagles forward opted to remain in post, rebuffing approaches from the Northern clubs.

 

 

Sunday’s FA Cup opponents, Stockport County, are familiar foes for Freedman, who made 327 appearances for the Eagles over two spells at the club. The Scotsman has scored in each of Crystal Palace’s last three meetings with the Hatters; the most recent clash came this weekend 23 years ago when Freedman dispatched the sole goal in England’s second tier.

 

In his pre-match press conference, Glasner was shocked that his sporting director netted the last goal between the two clubs: “He scored the goal? He didn’t tell me. We are always talking about transfers and not about his career,” the Eagles boss joked.

 

Over two decades later, Freedman continues to play a vital role in SE25, but instead of scoring the goals, he now recruits the goalscorers.

 

Glasner is full of appreciation for Scotsman, who is believed to be working on bringing Romain Esse and El Hadji Malick Diouf to Crystal Palace. The Europa League-winning coach detailed their concerted approach to the transfer market while explaining their coalition goes beyond signings and sales.

 

 

“He has been a big support for me — in many parts. Of course, we are talking often. He has so much experience as a player, manager and sporting director. This helps me a lot.

 

“Also, it was my first Christmas period [in England] and we were talking about the best way to manage that, which was great.

 

“Now, we are talking about transfer targets. How we discuss it, defining profiles and then how they will work. They show [how any new additions would contribute to the system] to me and we still have discussions. He is great to work with and I really appreciate all the support.

 

“What I ask of the players is to be open-minded, listen and try, and I expect the same from myself. I have a great guy in Dougie that I can listen to. I appreciate him and all of his experience — it helps me a lot in managing different situations.

It’s a great partnership.”

 

1. Tyrick Mitchell, an English defender who has been a mainstay in Oliver Glasner’s team this season, has appeared in all 20 of the Eagles’ Premier League games, posted three assists, and put up steady performances at left-back. According to The Sun, Crystal Palace may have to fight to hold onto Mitchell as Atletico Madrid and AC Milan consider making huge offers for the English defender.

The 25-year-old has grown into one of the most reliable full-backs in the English game, and he was unfortunate to miss out on a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024. He’ll be looking to add to the two international caps he’s earned now that Thomas Tuchel has replaced Gareth Southgate.

Mitchell is on North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur’s radar. European heavyweights Milan and Atletico are also keeping tabs as he continues to develop into a top talent at Selhurst Park. He’s been with Palace since his youth, when he arrived from Brentford’s academy in July 2016.

Milan are eyeing Mitchell, and he may join English trio Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek at the San Siro. The Rossoneri are financially backed by their billionaire owner, Paul Singer, and have money to spend to back new manager Sergio Conceicao this month.

The two European teams would allegedly have to make a ‘large offer’ for Mitchell if they want to capture the two-cap England international. Palace are trying to build for the future under Glasner and won’t want to lose one of their prized possessions for anything less than an astronomical fee. The Eagles are continuing to create a roster of youthful English blood. According to Fabrizio Romano, the South Londoners are getting closer to signing Romain Esse, a 19-year-old winger for Millwall. The Eagles are also interested in 19-year-old Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland.

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Crystal Palace will reportedly look to sign 26-year-old German winger Jan-Niklas Beste from SL Benfica after establishing contact regarding a winter move.

According to a report by A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness, Jan-Niklas Beste remains the subject of interest from Crystal Palace. The Eagles have been scouring the market for an offensive reinforcement heading into the winter transfer window. So, the SL Benfica winger has emerged as a target, with the South London club establishing contact over a deal this month.

 

Jan-Niklas Beste and his Benfica bother

Jan-Niklas Beste has struggled to stamp his authority since joining Benfica from FC Heidenheim in the summer transfer window. A native of Hamm, he began his youth career in his hometown but graduated from the youth division at Borussia Dortmund. However, the player had to bide his time before rising in prominence.

 

The spell with FC Heidenheim helped the 26-year-old find a stable footing, and he went from strength to strength at the Bundesliga club. However, he has been in and out of the starting lineup at Benfica. Beste has managed only 815 minutes of game time across 22 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with two goals and two assists.

 

However, the German winger’s stock in the market remains high, with several well-known clubs across Europe setting their sights on him. Bundesliga clubs Borussia Monchengladbach, RB Leipzig, and VfB Stuttgart are keen on signing the former Heidenheim star. However, Crystal Palace will aim to beat the competition to his signature.

 

 

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Crystal Palace’s interest in Jan-Niklas Beste is understandable. While Oliver Glasner prefers the 3-4-2-1 formation, Beste can be a top-notch addition to the first-team squad at Selhurst Park. The former FC Heidenheim star can play anywhere across the left flank, making him a viable option to reinforce the left wing-back berth.

 

With Tyrell Malacia facing an uncertain future at the South London club, Beste can theoretically be his long-term replacement. However, convincing SL Benfica to part ways with the 26-year-old will be a tall order, with the Portuguese giants not interested in entertaining bids to sell him.

 

So, triggering the release clause worth €50 million might be the only avenue for suitors to land the German winger this month. However, it will be surprising to see Crystal Palace coughing up €50 million to sign Beste in the winter transfer windwo.