Crystal Palace ‘close in’ on landing West Ham target as Eagles eye £10m Serie A ace

Patrick Vieira’s first season in charge of Crystal Palace had strong results and produced a good starting block from which to build if he is aiming to push his side up into the top 10 places of the Premier League.

The 2021/22 campaign saw Crystal Palace finish 12th in the Premier League as well as making it to the FA Cup semi-finals where they ultimately lost out to Chelsea.

Wilfried Zaha enjoyed another successful season as Palace’s top goalscorer in all competitions but Vieira will take this time away from the league to focus on bolstering his squad ahead of next season’s campaign.

The Frenchman will hope his success this transfer window can bring the London club up into those top 10 positions and in with a shot at battling it out for a place in European tournaments.

With much work to do before the Premier League starts again, here is the latest news from Selhurst Park Stadium...

Palace sign contract extensions with quartet

Crystal Palace recently announced the confirmation of new contracts for Jordan Ayew, Nathaniel Clyne, James McArthur and James Tomkins - all of whom have signed up for an additional year.

Palace’s chairman Steve Parish said on the annoucement: “It remains of pivotal importance to get the right balance of youth and experience in any Premier League squad, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to ensure that these long-standing and experienced players in Jordan, Nathaniel, James and James remain with us for the upcoming campaign.

“Each of them played an enormous role in the progress we’ve all enjoyed in the last year, and we very much expect similar contributions for the season ahead.”

McArthur has made 249 appearances for Palace so far while Clyne has mde 171, Ayew 133 and Tomkins has made 124 appearances.

Torino star leaves door open for Premier League return

Crystal Palace have received a boost from their former player Ola Aina after he conducted an interview with Own Goal Nigeria.

The former Chelsea Fulham and Hull City defender said: “We will have to see what happens over the summer. I’m not sure. I have only one year left (on my contract). I am not sure what will happen.

The 25-year-old fell out of favour with his Italian side after AFCON with his coach, Ivan Juric, criticising the Nigerian’s training and reports from Italy have suggested that Crystal Palace are currently in first place to make a £10million bid for Aina to return to the Premier League.

Palace ready to sign England goalkeeper

Crystal Palace are reportedly on the verge of signing Sam Johnstone according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook.

Johnstone is to become a free agent at the end of the month and has previously attracted interest from West Ham, Newcastle, Southampton and Spurs but it is Palace who have recently emerged as the most likely to sign the 29-year-old.

Speaking on his site, Crook said: “I was told a couple of weeks ago that Crystal Palace are very close to signing Sam Johnstone, I’ve got no reason to believe that is off course.

“I think if he went there he would go as number one as well.”

Rangers star shuts down transfer rumours

Nigeria international Joe Aribo has recently shut down rumours concerning a potential move away from the Ibrox Stadium to Palace.

He recently attracted interest from the Selhurst Park side after strong performances in both the Europa League and Scottish Premier League, scoring in both the Europa League Final and Scottish Cup Final, but has failed to convert this performances when playing for his country.

Aribo is currently playing with Nigeria as they bid to qualify for AFCON once again and speaking to All Nigeria Soccer, Aribo has said: “I’m not focused on (a return to England). Right now I’m with Nigeria so I’m just focusing on playing with my country and representing my country.”

When continued to be pressed, Aribo responded: “Like I said I’m not focused on all that stuff, I’m just focusing on Nigeria right now.”