Mick Brown sends Crystal Palace £25m transfer blow day before huge Fulham clash

Former Premier League scout Mick Brown has claimed that there is ‘not a lot’ Crystal Palace can do to keep Daniel Munoz at Selhurst Park this weekend, should a bidder meet the full-back’s release clause.

Oliver Glasner and his men will have focus centred on Saturday’s FA Cup quarter final against London rivals Fulham but, just 24 hours ahead of kick-off, attentions are drawn to matters away from Craven Cottage. Munoz has been the centre of some slow burn transfer talk in recent months but reports of a departure appear to be gathering pace.

Football Insider had claimed that both Manchester City and Barcelona are keen on a swoop for the 28-year-old, who has impressed at wing back under Glasner. That comes after Chelsea were linked with a summer move earlier this year.

Crystal Palace defender has £25m release clause

It has emerged that Munoz has a release clause in his contract at Selhurst Park, believed to be around £25 million. If true, that is a fairly low fee for a player of certified Premier League quality and an amount that would likely be manageable for European giants such as Barcelona and Manchester City.

According to Brown, who has worked as a scout at Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham, that release clause renders Crystal Palace somewhat powerless. He told Football Insider: “There’s not a lot they can do when he’s got a release clause.

“From what I’ve heard, it’s around £25million, but I’m not sure it’ll be as straight forward as clubs just coming forward with the money at whatever stage in the window.

“He is another example of Palace’s good recruitment in recent years. He didn’t cost much at all, but he’s become a crucial player for them and now he’s attracting interest.

‘Really tricky’: Man City and Barcelona track Daniel Munoz

“Whether that interest will result in offers remains to be seen because there are a lot of options in that position if clubs are looking. But Palace want to keep him, especially because of the interest in their other players. Before you know it, you can lose three or four players who you planned to be the rock of your team. It’s a really tricky situation.

“If there’s anything they can do to keep him at the club and put clubs off, I expect they’ll be doing it. They’ll also be planning behind the scenes in case he does leave, who are they going to bring in to replace him and do the job he does? There are a lot of moving parts, but they’re hopeful of keeping him at the club.”

Crystal Palace paid around £6.5 million to sign the Colombian defender from Genk in January 2024 and he has gone on to make 49 appearances for the club, scoring five goals and picking up nine assists. All eyes will be on Munoz at Craven Cottage this weekend as Crystal Palace look to book a place in the FA Cup semi-final. The defender scored in the side’s last trip to the banks of the Thames in February, helping Palace to a 2-0 win on the road that day.

In other news, Fulham fans won't be happy with the FA announcement for Crystal Palace.