Crystal Palace’s winter target becomes available as midfielder suffers blow

Crystal Palace are back in Premier League action this Friday.

The Eagles take on London rivals Arsenal at Selhurst Park in the opening game of the 2022/23 season.

They won their final friendly 4-2 against Montpellier over the weekend.

Here is a look at the latest news coming out of the club....

Midfielder blow

Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur has suffered a reoccurrence of his groin injury.

The former Wigan Athletic is now set for a spell on the sidelines.

The Athletic report that he is ‘likely’ to miss the start of the new campaign.

January target could move on

Marseille’s Bamba Dieng, who was reportedly a target of Palace’s in January, may well be on the move this summer.

His current club want to ‘force’ him out the exit door this summer after signing Igor Tudor, according to journalist Ryan Taylor on Twitter.

However, ‘no fresh developments’ have emerged just yet regarding the Eagles.

Gibbs-White alternative

Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek has apparently been identified by Crystal Palace as an alternative to Morgan Gibbs-White.

The London club has been heavily linked with a move for the Wolves man in this transfer window after he caught the eye on loan at Sheffield United in the Championship last season.

However, progress on that transfer pursuit has gone quiet and Viera’s side may now turn their attentions to former loan man Loftus-Cheek. Reporter Alan Nixon has tweeted (see below):

The England international impressed on loan at Selhurst Park a few years ago and made 25 appearances in all competitions.