Crystal Palace's 3 summer 'priorities' including £18.7m winger and contract plan

A big summer awaits Crystal Palace as they look to build on the improvements made this season under Oliver Glasner. Palace are set to finish in mid-table, and on top of that, they have a chance to win the FA Cup final, facing Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

This summer could be a key one for the Eagles as they wrestle to keep hold of some of their best players while improving with further recruitment. If Palace get it right, they can be realistic European contenders next season, but there is a fine line for a club whose players will attract plenty of interest. Here we round up the latest gossip from Dean Jones, who has issued an update on Palace’s transfer plans to GiveMeSport.

Contract hopes

Palace’s contract priority for this season appears to be Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is only under terms until 2026. Mateta has been a sensation this season, and he has been linked withy Manchester United and other clubs as he moves towards the final year of his deal at Selhurst Park.

Marc Guehi is another in the same situation, but the defender appears the most likely player to move on. Palace want to keep Mateta, and it’s reported that they are trying to convince him of a new deal to keep away transfer interest, at least for another season.

Jobe Bellingham

Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham is reportedly a target for Palace as they look to add to their midfield. Bellingham is headed into a Championship play-off bid with Sunderland, and so any transfer will likely depend on whether the Black Cats secure promotion to the Premier League or not.

If they don’t, it’s reported that Palace could swoop in to take Bellingham off their hands. The 19-year-old has been key to Sunderland’s play-off qualification, and he could attract interest from a number of clubs this summer.

Forward targets

Palace will look to strengthen their front-line this summer, especially with Eberechi Eze attracting attention, potentially leading to an exit, be it this summer or beyond. According to the report, the Eagles could consider Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca or AS Roma’s Matias Soule.

Lucca is a 24-year-old striker who has scored 12 times in 34 games this season, also providing two assists. He is valued at £18.7million by Transfermarkt, and he is seen as a player with big upside given his relative youth. Soule is even younger, still only 22 years of age. The Argentine winger has scored five and assisted twice in 35 games across all competitions this season. He is also valued at £18.7million, but he may prove to be a trickier signing given he only arrived from Juventus last summer, meaning he has a long-term contract.

One extra detail from the report is that links with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford appear to be wide of the mark, with Palace not interested in snapping up the England international at this stage. Rashford will return to United after a mixed loan spell with Aston Villa.

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