The Selhurst Circus: An Overview Of Palace’s Transfer Rumours
With just under a month left before the window slams shut on September 1st, things at Selhurst Park have gone from 0 to 100 over the past week. With a new name and rumour posted seemingly every few hours, it can be difficult to keep up with everything going on behind the scenes at the club right now.
This article is a breakdown of every name that’s been circling in the rumour mill recently, telling you exactly what you should, or shouldn’t, be getting excited about.
DONE DEAL
Takehiro Tomiyasu
- Position: RB / CB
- Club: Free Agent (most recently Ajax)
- Price: Free
We’ve already looked at this move in full detail here. But simply put, there’s a lot to like here. Bringing a flexible, versatile, and Premier League proven defender into this squad ahead of a grueling campaign is great business, let alone on a free transfer.
The elephant in the room is his injury history, which ultimately put an end to his career at Arsenal in 2025. It is risky bringing in a player who has played very little club football over the past 18 months, but the potential upside this deal brings is difficult to turn up on.
Final Verdict: 9/10
ADVANCED TALKS
AXEL DISASI
- Position: CB
- Club: Chelsea
- Price: Loan (obligation to buy)
Axel Disasi brings proven Premier League experiences and would arrive following a very positive loan spell at West Ham, where he rediscovered his form and started 16 games toward the back-end of last season. Talks are already advanced, and he directly addresses the most glaringly-obvious hole in the squad following Lacroix’s exit. Staying in London could be another convincing factor to get the move over the line.
The obvious concerns and criticisms come from the “flop” label placed on him from his time at Chelsea. His performances since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2023 have been far from impressive, and the same can be said about his loan move to Aston Villa at the beginning of last season. Despite improved form during his time at the London Stadium, he did suffer relegation with the Hammers. The obligation-to-buy structure of the deal is also cause for concern, meaning Palace are essentially locking in a long-term commitment before testing to see if the move would be a fit.
Final Verdict: 6/10
ZAVIER GOZO
- Position: RWB / RW
- Club: Real Salt Lake
- Price: £11m
You would be forgiven for not recognising this name at first, but the young American has definitely made a name for himself over in the States. Six goals and four assists in just sixteen MLS appearances this season is impressive enough for a wing-back, let alone one aged just 19. Not only has he got the raw talent, but it reads as though he’s got the attacking output to match. At worst, he’s young enough to be a pure profit transfer given the low fee, and having Chris Richards already in the squad gives him a pre-existing support system for the culture shift.
The obvious gap is a lack of experience against anything resembling Premier League physicality, or European football full stop. He’s still relatively new to the wing-back role, being converted from an out-and-out winger, so there may be a few difficult moments to come from a defensive perspective. However, with Muñoz and Mitchell both solidified in their starting positions, it’s unlikely we would need to rely on him on the biggest stage.
Final Verdict: 8/10
EARLY STAGES
SOLLY MARCH
- Position: RW / RWB / LWB
- Club: Free Agent (most recently Br*ghton)
- Price: Free
Solly March would arrive for nothing with a proven Premier League track record and enough positional flexibility to cover either the wing or wing-back roles. He’s reportedly fit and has kept himself in shape training at Brighton’s facilities while waiting for the right offer. Being a part of the club’s youth academy from 2005 to 2007 also gives him somewhat of a connection to the club already.
But there’s also the fact that he’s made over 300 appearances for Brighton, our biggest rival of the modern era. Alongside that, there are natural questions about the long-term value of this move, being 32 and let go by Brighton for injury-related reasons. But putting all that aside, there’s no real defined fit for him in Sage’s current system. It’s quite a baffling move to say the least.
Final Verdict: 3/10
IMRAN LOUZA
- Position: CM
- Club: Watford
- Price: £15m
After a slow start at Watford, Imram Louza’s recent performances have been strong, tallying up sixteen goal involvements in the most recent Championship season. He’d add a useful rotation and depth option into our midfield, without demanding significant minutes or disrupting the chemistry currently built.
The competition for his signature is crowded though, with Paris FC, Ajax, and Como all in the race. Furthermore, the lack of guaranteed minutes or long-term future, with the likes of Wharton, Kamada, and Doucoure all ahead of him, could easily push Louza toward a more suitable offer. It’s also worth noting that, although performances in the Championship have been strong, his one and only Premier League campaign was one to forget, with zero goal involvements and a pretty clear-cut relegation.
Final Verdict: 5/10
ANTOINE MENDY
- Position: RB / CB
- Club: OGC Nice
- Price: €15m
Mendy offers additional depth and versatility across the right side of defence, with good athleticism and youth that carries obvious resale upside at just 22. His price is comfortably the most affordable of the centre-back options we’ve been linked with, with Palace reportedly leading the race for the Senegalese international, who started in the AFCON Final earlier this year.
Nothing’s been formalised yet, however, so it’s all just speculation and interest at this stage. With other attractive names monitoring the young centre-back, such as Fiorentina and Monaco, Palace may be in for a complicated and competitive transfer battle despite being the current leaders. But a profile like this, given the age and price, it’s hard to find any negatives. Credit where it’s due.
Final Verdict: 9/10
GONE COLD
ISMAËLO GANIOU
- Position: CB
- Club: RC Lens
- Price: €35-40m
This deal looks to be a sailed ship, but if it ever does get revived, the appeal is obvious. Ganiou is a proven Ligue 1 centre-back and just 21-years-old with an extremely high ceiling. And the cherry on top; he’s already thrived in Pierre Sage’s system.
As things stand though, none of that matters because the move is all but dead. Lens never moved from their valuation of roughly €40m, and Palace aren’t willing or capable of stretching their budget to meet it.
Final Verdict: 7.5/10
CHRISLAIN MATSIMA
- Position: CB
- Club: FC Augsburg
- Price: €30m
An almost identical story as with Ganiou, and another player we’ve already looked at previously. If a deal did come back into play, the Chrislain Matsima appeal is obvious: Bundesliga-proven, very physical and suited to English football, and a personal agreement already in place.
But with Augsburg telling the player and his agent directly, and bluntly, that the deal is over, I wouldn’t hold any hopes. The collapse of this deal wasn’t solely due to the €30m, but a collection of payment structure and bonuses. Palace’s struggle to financially close out deals appears to be a concerning pattern developing this transfer window; one that really makes you wonder just where all that Maxence Lacroix money is going.
Final Verdict: 8/10
Who do you want to see Crystal Palace sign before the window slams shut? Join the discussion in the OurCPFC Fanzone.
