The World Cup is almost over, and it’s been exciting. However, we're desperate for the new Palace season to start and, in the run-up to its kick-off, there is a significant buzz with plenty of transfer rumours flying around. Rob Sutherland picks out some of the best rumours from forums and newspapers.
Defence
Steven Caulker – Cardiff City – £8m
Palace are supposedly making a late bid for centre-back Steven Caulker, with the alternatively option seemingly being Harry Redknapp’s QPR. We know what whom we’d sign for…
Liam Ridgewell – West Brom – Free
A decent defender who can play across the back four, Ridgewell has knowledge of relegation battles with West Brom and Birmingham City, but it’s not his playing ability that he’s most famous for. Nope, that honour goes to the image of him wiping his bottom with £50 notes. He has also been linked to the MLS’s Portland Timbers. There haven’t been any further reports however.
Matt Besler – Sporting Kansas City - £3m
27-year-old American centre-back Matt Besler was briefly linked with Palace by the Daily Mail. Besler had an impressive World Cup alongside Omar Gonzalez (a player I liked the look of…) and, despite his lack of height, he looked more than capable against some of the World’s better wingers.
Craig Dawson – West Brom – £5m
There’s a fair bit of focus on improving Palace’s defensive strength, this summer. And rightly so. With no recognised left-back to call upon and one less centre-back for back-up, Palace need some defenders. Dawson would be an ideal signing for Palace, but it’s unlikely that West Brom would entertain a bid.
Brede Hangeland – Fulham – Free
He fits the bill for what Palace should be looking for – experienced, strong, well-regarded and a leader – and Palace have supposedly already made contact with the Norwegian. Hangeland was unceremoniously released by Fulham, who informed him of their decision not to renew his contract by email. Stay classy.
Charlie Mulgrew – Celtic - £5m
Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew would provide Palace with exactly the kind of flexibility that the club needs, with an ability to play in defence or midfield. With Pulis looking for a left-back, Mulgrew is a player he’s supposedly interested in recruiting – and he’s the kind that would definitely improve Palace’s back line. We’ve not heard any more about a potential bid.
Midfielders
Steven N’Zonzi – Stoke City – £6m
As Stoke City’s best midfielder, the chances of Palace securing the Frenchman are greatly reduced. However, having previously worked with Tony Pulis, and with Stoke signing Steve Sidwell earlier this month, Palace would be foolish not to at least tempt Stoke with a bid. N’Zonzi also submitted a transfer request last summer, indicating that he’s not entirely happy at the Staffordshire club.
Jonjo Shelvey - Swansea
The Daily Mail are reporting that TP is keen on the former Liverpool man to bolster the midfield. Palace were linked with Shelvey last summer so the reports make sense and he would be a very good addition, but Swansea could well want a high fee for him.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov – Spartak Moscow – £1.5m
Left-mid Bilyaletdinov has had a bit of a tough time since his big move to Everton a few season’s ago petered out into a disappointing spell – and his return to Russia hasn’t helped matters much. The winger, fast, direct and with a penchant for cutting inside, would add depth to Palace’s variety of attacking options. The two parties are said to be in discussions.
Will Buckley – Brighton & Hove Albion - £3m
Linked with Palace during the January transfer window, a return move for the attacking midfielder shouldn’t be completely dismissed.
Emyr Huws – Manchester City – Loan
Who needs vowels when you can have Huws? City’s 20-year-old Welsh midfielder is another player who fits the description of what Pulis is reportedly looking for – a strong defensive midfielder capable of breaking up play and picking a pass. He has also been linked with Swansea City (the team Manchester City signed him from) and Stoke City.
Forwards
Joel Campbell – Arsenal – Loan
Given his performance in Costa Rica’s amazing World Cup run, which saw them reach the Quarter Finals, Campbell might not be as likely to make a move to Palace he would have prior to the competition. A place in Arsenal’s team next season wouldn’t be undeserved.
Islam Slimani – Sporting Lisbon – Enquired
Palace are said to have made an enquiry to Sporting Lisbon about signing one of Algeria’s better World Cup performers. Slimani, 25, is a pacey striker capable of playing on the wing. West Ham are also said to be interested.
Tommy Oar – FC Utrecht - £3m
Australian national Tommy Oar didn’t have an amazing World Cup but put in a decent shift, and the 22-year-old would be another player capable of adding some quality to Palace’s wing options.
Fraizer Campbell – Cardiff City - £800,000
Fraizer Campbell would be an interesting signing. He didn’t exactly score a vast number of goals last season but, in a poor Cardiff City side, that’s hardly surprising. Capable of playing on the wing or as a striker, Campbell would add some depth to Palace’s attacking options.
Peter Crouch – Stoke City – £4m
Lazy journalism? Probably. Crouch was always likely to be linked with a reunion with Pulis. He’d provide something a little different up front for Palace, but he’s not exactly a signing to get excited about.
Connor Wickham – Sunderland - £5m
With some performances that were crucial to Sunderland’s Premier League safety bid, it seems crazy that Sunderland might sell him. Leicester City are reported to have made a bid and Tony Pulis was desperate to sign him in January – which means a Palace bid wouldn’t be unlikely.
Linked but ruled out…
Joleon Lescott – Manchester City – Free (signed for West Brom)
Kyle Lafferty – Palermo – £3m (signed for Norwich City)
Jake Livermore – Tottenham Hotspur - £8m (signed for Hull City)