Crystal Palace 'approach' European club over £17m striker transfer amid Mateta exit links

Crystal Palace are said to be on the lookout for a new striker this summer, with the Eagles still unsure whether Jean-Philippe Mateta will be lured away. Oliver Glasner does also have Eddie Nketiah to rely upon, but reports have claimed Palace are in the market to land a new frontman as they prepare for what will be a busy campaign.

The Eagles will be playing in the Europa League next season, and it’s no easy task to compete in that competition while also needing to put on a strong showing in the Premier League. Options in each position give a team the best chance of managing that, and it’s now being reported that Palace are interested in a move for Panathinaikos star Fotis Ioannidis.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Palace, Leicester City and Southampton have all made approaches for the frontman, who scored 11 times in 42 appearances across all competitions in the season just gone. The 25-year-old is under contract until 2028 and valued at £12.7million. Though, the player’s agent is said to have indicated that it will take £17million to do the deal this summer.

Fiorentina have reportedly made approaches in the past, but they have only offered around £10.2million in the past, coming up short of asking. There is also reportedly interest from Bologna and Lazio, with Italian clubs clearly interested. The Greek frontman is the captain of Panathinaikos and he is also a regular for Greece, scoring six times in 17 appearances as a senior player. Ioannidis stands at 6ft1” and is said to be very much both footed.

Glasner on next season

Speaking at the end of last season, Palace boss Glasner said of next season’s plans: “I’m just talking about the future and about what we are planning I’m 100 per cent committed to these plans, so (I have) no thoughts about something different. I have one more year left. We speak about next season. I have a contract here. We speak about pre-season. This is in the next three, four months.

“So everything that happens after 1st of July, 2026 we don’t talk about this at the moment because it’s too far away. We are talking about what happens this year, and that’s why I’m 100 per cent committed, because I have a contract and I have other things on my mind.”

He said of his backroom staff: “It was an appreciation for the staff, a big thank you to everyone,” Glasner added. “They do such a great job and work so hard to support the players to make sure everyone is fit and available. When we’re always talking about the environment and the spirit at the training ground, it’s not the grass, it’s not the building, it’s the people who make the environment, the people make the mood.

“We’re doing such an amazing job and this was a small appreciation to go there and enjoy the time together. We had a lovely time together and then we go back to work again.”

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