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Manchester United are pushing to sign a new left-back before the February 3rd transfer deadline.

 

TBR Football understand Manchester United have made a £30m move for Patrick Dorgu – although the Lecce No.13 is also admired by Tottenham.

 

Ruben Amorim desperately needs a new face in that department as Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia struggle to stay fit – with the Portuguese tactician resorting to using Diogo Dalot in that area since replacing Erik ten Hag.

 

It remains to be seen whether Manchester United sign Patrick Dorgu – although an approach has now been made for Crystal Palace No.3 Tyrick Mitchell in case that move fails to materialise.

 

Manchester United enquire about Tyrick Mitchell

ESPN are now claiming that Manchester United have enquired about the England international as the Red Devils aim to find a new left-back this winter.

 

Mitchell – who Tottenham also like – has made a name for himself as one of the most consistent Premier League performers in his position in recent years, racking up 154 appearances for Crystal Palace since replacing Patrick van Aanholt.

 

Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Southampton FC at Selhurst Park on December 29, 202…

 

The 25-year-old even managed to score against Manchester United last season during that 4-0 defeat for the Red Devils at Selhurst Park.

 

ESPN add that Manchester United have also asked Wolves what it would take to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri in case the swoop for Dorgu breaks down.

 

Crystal Palace No.3 may not be the answer for Ruben Amorim

Amorim uses a 3-4-3 formation at Old Trafford, in which the man from Lisbon needs very attack-minded players in the wide areas.

 

Mitchell is more of a traditional left-back who focuses on defending, as Oliver Glasner said himself earlier this month.

 

 

The Austrian stated: “We have to accept that he will never be a Daniel Munoz. Danny has a natural skill – an attacking way. He (Mitchell) comes more from the defensive part. I think he has improved already, but he still has potential within this.”

 

Incidentally, Glasner uses the same style as Amorim, and Crystal Palace are even trying to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf to replace Mitchell due to the Englishman’s lack of natural attacking flair.

 

Therefore, the Brent-born defender may not be the answer for Manchester United if the move for Dorgu collapses.

 

 

 

Crystal Palace announced their first signing of the winter transfer window on Saturday.

 

Romain Esse has now sealed his £14.5m move across south London from Millwall to Crystal Palace, signing a five-and-a-half year contract running until June 2030.

 

It was the icing on the cake in what has been a fine week for the Eagles, who now sit 12th in the Premier League after successive 2-0 wins away to Leicester and West Ham.

 

However, Crystal Palace are not done in the market just yet, with Dougie Freedman – Director of Football at Selhurst Park – now preparing a new £15m move for El Hadji Malick Diouf.

 

Crystal Palace to submit £15m El Hadji Malick Diouf bid

A story from Alan Nixon on Patreon now states that Crystal Palace will make a new attempt to bring the Senegal international to SE25.

 

Crystal Palace have already seen a £12.5m bid rejected for Diouf – who has enjoyed a great season for Slavia Prague so far with six goals and three assists in 18 Chance Liga appearances from left wing-back.

 

Nixon claims that the south Londoners travelled to Spain last week to watch the 20-year-old appear in a friendly for Slavia Prague, in an attempt to make progress in negotiations.

 

El Hadji Malick Diouf of SK Slavia Praha looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Athletic Club and SK Slavia …

 

Liverpool are also in talks to sign Diouf – however – with Nottingham Forest keen as well, so Crystal Palace face some competition for the Slavia Prague No.12’s signature.

 

Nixon adds that Crystal Palace are also considering Rennes No.3 Adrien Truffert – although Diouf is the preferred target.

 

Slavia Prague could make Crystal Palace pay over the odds for El Hadji Malick Diouf

It remains to be seen how Slavia Prague respond to a new offer from Crystal Palace, although the Czech giants have already raised a fair bit of cash this month, and could no longer have any need to sell Diouf.

 

Slavia Prague have received £12.5m from Tottenham for Antonin Kinsky, while the Chance Liga outfit also made around £7m from the sale of Matej Jurasek to Norwich.

 

Therefore, with less need for cash this month, Slavia Prague could well demand a premium price from Crystal Palace for Diouf.

 

 

 

The 19-year-old has become the Eagles’ first signing of the January transfer window

 

 

Oliver Glasner has revealed that Romain Esse’s “great character” was a major reason behind Crystal Palace’s decision to sign the teenager from Millwall.

 

The 19-year-old winger was announced on Saturday morning as the first signing of the month by Palace after the Eagles agreed a deal worth £12million plus £2.5m in add-ons to sign him from Millwall.

 

Glasner hailed Palace’s scouting department for spotting Esse’s talents early, before joking that he was only signed because he lives a three-minute walk from the training ground, making his commute good for the planet.

 

“I’m delighted that Romain joins us and can now train with us,” said Glasner, speaking after a Jean-Philippe Mateta double saw the Eagles win 2-0 at West Ham on Saturday to move 12th in the Premier League table.

 

“He will be a typical Crystal Palace signing — a young player from the Championship that we will help in his development. This is what we will do with Romain.

 

“We are convinced of his skills. Left foot, good first touch, understanding of the game and finding spaces. Then we will work with him and support him to improve. It gives us one more option in attack.”

 

Asked why the club prioritised signing Esse over other targets, Glasner quipped: “We said, ‘Who is living closest to the training ground? Then we will sign him.’ It was Romain, because he can walk over — it’s just a three-minute walk. It’s sustainability. He doesn’t need a car. He can walk tomorrow.”

 

Answering the same question more seriously, he said: “Of course, Dougie [Freedman] has known of him longer. We have a great scouting team.

 

“We analyse our games and then ask which profile we could add to the team that we don’t [already] have.

 

“I think his numbers are not extraordinary in the Championship. But he’s 19.

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.