Crystal Palace have now held direct talks with a Brighton & Hove Albion player over a potential summer move to Selhurst Park, according to a report.
Palace awaiting Europa League verdict
Despite Palace finishing below rivals Brighton in the Premier League table, a move to Selhurst Park could be the more attractive proposition this summer, given that they secured qualification for the Europa League courtesy of their FA Cup triumph.
However, there is still no clarity as to whether the Eagles will be allowed to take part in the competition next season, given issues surrounding multi-club ownership, with UEFA’s decision recently being delayed until Monday.
Despite Lyon being relegated to Ligue 2 due to financial issues, the French club have struck a deal to compete in the Europa League next season, which could also be a blow to Oliver Glasner’s side’s chances of taking part even after the news of John Textor’s sale to Woody Johnson.
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Crystal Palace now in “negotiations” to sign “dominant” 21 y/o defender
Oliver Glasner has reportedly “approved” the signing.
It remains to be seen whether Crystal Palace will be allowed to compete in Europe, but in the meantime they have been pressing on with their summer transfer business, with approaches being made for Andy Diouf and Ousmane Diomande.
According to a report from El Diario Vasco (via Sport Witness), Palace have also made a bold attempt to sign a Brighton player, having directly spoken to Igor Julio over a potential summer move to Selhurst Park.
A phone call has been held with Igor, but the Eagles are not the only club in the race for his signature, with Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers also expressing an interest, alongside La Liga side Real Sociedad.
A move to Sociedad appeals to the Brazilian, as he wants to seal a move away from England this summer, but the Spanish club are concerned that Palace or Wolves could outbid them, considering the English sides have ‘plenty of money to burn’.
Igor could be “excellent” signing for Palace
Not only would the addition of the 27-year-old allow Palace to get one-up on their major rivals, but there are signs he could be a solid addition to Glasner’s squad, with the manager in need of greater depth if his side are to embark on a European campaign.
Journalist Lorenzo Lepore has singled the defender out for particularly high praise in the past, saying: “Igor is a really great defender, who is capable of helping his team in both phases of play: he’s competent with his feet and in defence.
“He has excellent technique and he is a capable playmaker, too. He is strong, he is good in one-on-one situations.”
Since then, the £15m defender has also gone on to prove himself in the Premier League, featuring regularly for the Seagulls when fit, although there may be some concerns about the former Fiorentina man missing 18 games through injury last season.
Igor could be a solid signing for Palace, who may have to bring in a new centre-back this summer, amid Marc Guehi’s uncertain future, but it would be surprising if Brighton are willing to strengthen a rival club.
