Crystal Palace agree £14million deal as Europa League winner close in Selhurst Park move

Crystal Palace are expected to complete the signing of two key players this week after agreeing a £14million deal to sign Real Betis defender Chadi Riad. The Morocco international turned down interest from Tottenham and Newcastle to move to Selhurst Park, as reported by LondonWorld last week. 

The Eagles are also closing in on a move to sign Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada on a free transfer from Lazio with a deal agreed for both players and preparations being made for their announcement this week. 

Kamada worked with Palace manager Oliver Glasner at Eintracht Frankfurt, where they won the Europa League together in 2022, and the Eagles are stepping up a summer recruitment drive.

LondonWorld exclusively reported that the Eagles manager has also sent two physical trainers to Dubai to help some of his stars there on holidays to keep fit. He’s also insisted that players who return from holidays overweight will have no breaks and will be made to work hard to drop into shape. 

One of the things the Austrian manager is working to change is also the culture at the club. He's been instilling into players and people around the club that his team is good enough to fight for a spot in Europe. 

They won their last five games, including impressive wins against Liverpool at Anfield, Newcastle United and Aston Villa at Selhurst. 

Backing Glasner

Eagles owner Steve Parish is looking to back Glasner like never before but he faces a real challenge of holding on to their excelling stars. Eberechi Eze is being targeted by Tottenham, and Michael Olise also attracting interest from both Manchester United and Chelsea. 

The imminent arrival of Riad could now mean that they will be in a position to sell Marc Guehi even though clubs will have to pay over £50million to secure his services.