Crystal Palace are well-placed to sign Real Betis defender Natan this summer, as they have held a key role for their Premier League rivals in the race for the signature.
Interest in the new defender stems from the failure to replace Marc Guehi in the January transfer window, with the England international being sold to Manchester City, causing well-documented problems between Oliver Glasner and the board.
At times, things got a little toxic, with the manager lashing out at the fans, but it looks like he will be in charge until the end of the season, with Palace still dreaming of winning the Europa Conference League.
The Eagles are through to the quarter-finals, and will face Fiorentina in the first leg at Selhurst Park on Thursday night, with Glasner saying ahead of the all-important game: “On Saturday, I went to Verona to watch Fiorentina. On Sunday, we were together and we started to prepare. We had a lot of time to prepare – we feel good and we look good.”
If you think that the Austrian will not take part in the summer recruitment, he will be completely focused on bringing another trophy, but the work continues behind the scenes to bring in a new defender.
Crystal Palace are keen to sign Real Betis defender Natan
According to a report from La Razon (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace are now in a strong position to sign Real Betis star Natan this summer, as they have a good working relationship with the La Liga side, having signed Chadi Riad to them in 2024.
As such, Palace have the advantage over rivals AFC Bournemouth, and Betis are now willing to agree to leave at the end of the season, if they can get €40m (£35m).
Journalist Manu Colchon described the Brazilian as “outstanding” at the start of this season, and he has been one of Real Betis' most important players in La Liga, playing 26 games, with a pass rate of 7.3 out of 90, making him the club's first.
The 25-year-old Betis star, who won the league title with Flamengo in 2020, is at the right age to be Guehi's long-term successor, and Selhurst Park will be an attractive venue if Palace have Europa League football on offer next season.
However, Glasner picked up an injury ahead of Thursday's crucial Europa Conference League game.
Nketiah is suffering from an injury before Fiorentina
Glasner has confirmed that Eddie Nketiah will not be part of Fiorentina, telling the press: “Football is like that – it looks like everyone is available for tomorrow's game and it was, until two minutes before the end of the session. Eddie unfortunately picked up a hamstring and had to come off the field. He won't be in the team tomorrow and we'll have another test but it's not looking good for him.”
However, in more good news, Adam Wharton is available for selection, despite a minor setback in international duty with England.
Rangers are heading to London after Crystal Palace agreed terms to sign him to move on from Southampton
Steve Parish drives the movement.
