Crystal Palace are in the market for late signings and are now in surprise talks over a deal to bring a rival star to Selhurst Park, according to reports.

Crystal Palace set to welcome Christantus Uche

The Eagles have been involved in some high-stakes negotiations today and they could be set to welcome a number of arrivals before the close of play.

Eberechi Eze is gone and Crystal Palace may now have found his replacement in the form of Christantus Uche, who will arrive from Getafe after Wolverhampton Wanderers saw their move break down for the Nigeria international.

Bobby Manzi confirmed the latest on his situation this morning via X, stating: “Christantus Uche closing in on a move to Crystal Palace. Versatile forward capable of playing as a striker, left-sided attacker and advanced midfielder. Boosts forward ranks with Odsonne Edouard set to leave. Uche has started all three games for Getafe this season, picking up a goal and an assist.”

Putting that aside, Crystal Palace are set to complete a shock loan move for Brighton & Hove Albion defender Igor Julio in the form of a straight loan, in a surprise development given both sides are fierce rivals.

That may be a pivotal step in Marc Guehi’s situation, which is subject to change at any moment, but it appears that Oliver Glasner wants backline cover regardless of circumstance.

Time is running out and supporters are waiting on baited breath for announcements, which could help to shape the campaign Crystal Palace can have moving forward after their FA Community Shield victory.

Managers are always hungry for more options to fit their tactical mode of operation, and Glasner appears to have made a late play to bring a winger to Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace in talks over loan move for Manor Solomon

According to Mailsport, Crystal Palace are in discussions over a loan swoop for Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon that could include a buy option.

Speaking about the deal, reporter Matt Barlow stated: “Crystal Palace are among those interested in Manor Solomon. They had an approach flatly rejected over the weekend.

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The Eagles are ready to try and land his signature.

BySean Markus Clifford Aug 30, 2025

“Maybe Daniel Levy was not keen to deal with Palace after the embarrassment he suffered when the Eberechi Eze deal was hijacked by rivals Arsenal. And Thomas Frank does not want to lose firepower unless it can be replaced. But Palace have returned today and there are discussions about a possible loan with an option.”

Labelled “brilliant” by Adam Pope, the former Fulham man was a smash-hit on loan at Leeds United last term, registering ten goals and 13 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions as they claimed promotion.

Nevertheless, there may be a late opening for him to leave North London, and a move across the city could be on the cards if all parties can come to an agreement before this evening’s cut-off point.

When it rains, it pours, and that is certainly the case for Arsenal Football Club.

Fans were still coming to terms with the news that the incredible Eberechi Eze is almost certainly set to join Tottenham Hotspur when David Ornstein revealed that Kai Havertz has suffered a knee injury and could be out for months.

The news does help to explain the recent improvement of Leandro Trossard’s contract, but even with the Belgian on better terms, the German’s absence is a massive blow.

Fortunately, reports have linked the club with an international game-changer who could be the perfect solution to Mikel Arteta’s latest headache.

Arsenal target perfect Havertz replacement

It has been an interesting summer of business for Arsenal this year.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

While the club have certainly improved the bench and made a couple of first-team additions in Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, there is a strong sentiment among the fans that they are still short in attacking areas.

This has only been intensified following the news that Havertz could be out for a significant period.

However, in good news, the North Londoners now appear to be eyeing a move for someone who could come in and cover for the German international.

At least that is according to a recent report from Graeme Bailey, who has claimed Arsenal are in the picture for Ademola Lookman.

In fact, Bailey has revealed that following the collapse of his move to Inter Milan, the Nigerian international’s camp have been in talks with several teams, including the Gunners.

Moreover, with a reported price tag of around £43m, it might not be too difficult a deal to get over the line, and given Lookman’s immense ability, he’d be the perfect solution to this Havertz problem.

Why Lookman would be an excellent solution to Havertz's injury

The first major positive to signing Lookman this summer is the fact that he can play anywhere across the frontline.

For example, while he spent much of last season playing up top, or as a second striker, he’s totally comfortable playing off either wing and has even spent some time in attacking midfield before.

This would be hugely important in this team, as he’d be able to play second fiddle to Gyokeres up top, while also then providing genuine competition with every other attacker in the squad, making sure they don’t fall below a certain standard and then replacing them if they do.

That brings us to the second reason the former Everton flop would be an exceptional signing for the Gunners: his output.

Since moving to the Serie A side in August 2022, the “world-class” attacker, as dubbed by the BBC’s John Bennett, has scored a brilliant 52 goals and provided 25 assists in 118 appearances, totalling 7538 minutes.

Appearances

33

45

40

Minutes

1858′

2809′

2871′

Goals

15

17

20

Assists

8

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.60

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

104.03′

106.33

That means the Wandsworth-born game-changer has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes on the continent, which is an outrageous rate of return.

Moreover, with a match-winning hat-trick against Xabi Alonso’s then-unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 Europa League final, there would be no need to worry about how he’d fare in the biggest games and on the biggest stages.

Ultimately, even without Havertz’s injury, Lookman would be an excellent signing for Arsenal, but in light of German’s setback, it feels like a necessity.

Arsenal could help Saka hit Salah levels with late bid for £100m "machine"

The incredible international would help Saka reach Salah levels at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 20, 2025

New South Wales veteran Sarah Coyte makes no secret of the fact a grand-final win on Sunday over Queensland would mean more than her first six WNCL titles with the state.”Just for the sheer fact that NSW have spent the last four or five years rebuilding,” Coyte told AAP.Coyte, at age 33, is one of the last remaining members of NSW’s days as the powerhouse of women’s domestic cricket. She won six competitions with the state between 2010 and 2015, as part of the Breakers’ record run of 10 straight titles in the 2000s and 2010s.Related

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So dominant were the Breakers in the early days of the 50-over WNCL, they claimed 20 of the first 23 competitions and finished runners-up in the other three.”Back when NSW kept winning, it was just an expectation, because we had all the big names,” Coyte said. “The program has completely changed since then. You don’t have as many big names, the Australian team have always got something on. Now we have to fight and work so hard for it, and it shows.”Coyte is no stranger to winning. On leaving NSW for South Australia in 2015-16, she broke NSW’s streak with a title there. Another two came in Tasmania, with the seamer now gunning for a 10th WNCL title in 13 full seasons separated by a mid-career break.”It would be the ultimate. It would mean everything for NSW to be back at the top,” she said. “Not just for me but for Cricket NSW to be back after having to rebuild.”Winning machine: Sarah Coyte is searching for a 10th WNCL title•Getty Images

The changed nature of the WNCL means Sunday’s final features no Australian players, with Queensland’s Georgia Voll the last to leave for India and the WPL on Friday. But that does open the door for other players to eye off lifelong dreams. For table-toppers Queensland, up to six of their XI will hunt a first title after losing to Tasmania in last year’s decider.”It’s disappointing – we would have loved her to play, and I know she would have loved to have played as well, but it’s a great opportunity for her and a good reward for her season so far,” Queensland captain Georgia Redmayne said. “Considering the urgency to get her to India, I really hope they give her the opportunity she deserves on Tuesday.””The good thing about having so many players in and out is that we’ve been able to give a lot of opportunities to a lot of girls throughout the season. Everyone in our squad of 13 has played games this season, so everyone’s been there and been exposed to it – we’re not bringing new players into the team suddenly for a final so I think that bodes well for us.”Georgia Voll has beeen handed a late call-up to the WPL•Getty Images

For NSW, a new generation wants success after finishing fifth and sixth for the past two years. And for the likes of senior Breakers quick Sammy-Jo Johnson and spinner Sam Bates, a title shot awaits after NSW’s dominance was a double-edged sword as teenagers.Knowing only of NSW’s stars winning, both were forced to move to Queensland and ACT respectively for a chance before returning in recent years.”The goal for me growing up was to play for NSW,” Johnson said. “That’s all I dreamt about, I just wanted to wear a baggy blue. But Queensland gave me an opportunity, and I wouldn’t have made a name for myself if I didn’t go chase it somewhere else.”Now, they know the chance awaits for NSW to create a new legacy on Sunday.”The history is very rich, but the cool thing about this group is we’ve forged our own path,” Johnson said. “We’ve gone through the struggles. We’ve had so many injuries … We’ve had to go through the grind.”

WNCL final squads

Queensland Georgia Redmayne (capt), Charli Knott, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Lucinda Bourke, Sianna Ginger, Lilli Hamilton, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Laura Harris, Grace Parsons, Courtney Sippel, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Mikayla WrigleyNew South Wales Georgia Adams (capt), Sam Bates, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Sarah Coyte, Hannah Darlington, Elsa Hunter, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Claire Moore, Frankie Nicklin, Kate Pelle, Tahlia Wilson

Georgia Redmayne was on 97 when she was run out backing up and it left too much for Queensland’s tail to do

AAP02-Mar-2025

New South Wales snared their 21st WNCL title after defeating Queensland by 21 runs, and it was largely thanks to a freakish run-out.Anika Learoyd cracked 80 off 110 balls and Claire Moore chipped in with 33 as NSW were bowled out for 215 in 48 overs at Allan Border Field on Sunday,In reply, Queensland opener Georgia Redmayne posted 97 off 122 balls to give them a genuine shot at victory. But disaster struck in the 41st over with Queensland  173 for 7 and still needing 43 more runs for victory.Redmayne was at the non-striker’s end when Nicola Hancock smashed Lauren Cheatle’s delivery straight back at the bowler. Cheatle dropped the return catch, but the ball deflected off her hands and onto the stumps, catching a stunned Redmayne well out of her crease. Queensland’s tail didn’t last much longer, with NSW players celebrating wildly when Queensland were bowled out for 194 in the 47th over.It marks the first time NSW have lifted the Ruth Preddy Cup since 2018-19.Cheatle, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Sam Bates and captain Georgia Adams all played important roles with the ball for NSW. Queensland were left kicking themselves after slumping from 135 for 2 in the 30th over.Redmayne was in fine form, but Sianna Ginger (36) and Charli Knott (14) were the only other batters to make it to double figures for Queensland.NSW veteran Sarah Coyte now has 10 WNCL titles across three different states.  The 33-year-old won six competitions with NSW between 2010 and 2015, one with South Australia after that, then a further two with Tasmania.Her latest triumph is extra special, given the long wait between drinks for a NSW organisation accustomed to success.

“Faf has lent on him quite a lot and we’re pretty sure that Rajat will be leaning on him too,” RCB’s director of cricket says

Ashish Pant13-Feb-20252:25

Why did RCB overlook Kohli as captain?

Virat Kohli might not be the new Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain, with the franchise opting for Rajat Patidar, but for Mo Bobat, RCB’s director of cricket, Kohli does not need a “captaincy title” to be a leader in the team.”Of course, Virat was an option and that goes without saying and I know that the fans would’ve probably lent towards Virat in the first instance, but we’ve seen a lot of love for Rajat too,” Bobat said in an event in Bengaluru where Patidar was unveiled as the captain for IPL 2025. “Look, my point on Virat would be that Virat doesn’t need a captaincy title to lead. I think leadership, as we’ve all seen, is one of his strongest instincts. I think it just comes naturally to him. He leads regardless.”Kohli led the RCB franchise from 2013 to 2021 before he stepped down from the role. He led the team for three matches in 2023 when regular captain Faf du Plessis was injured and played as an Impact Player.Related

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Rajat Patidar appointed new RCB captain for IPL 2025

Bobat was confident that despite Kohli not being the designated captain, Patidar would lean on him like his predecessor du Plessis did.”Everybody in the country and everyone in the world knows that Virat’s a leader in every sense of the word,” Bobat said. “Andy [Flower, head coach] and I lean on him quite a lot. Faf has lent on him quite a lot and we’re pretty sure that Rajat will be leaning on him too.”Even last year with Faf as captain, we saw every bit of that. He leads as an example with the bat, the volume of runs and the strike rate that he scored at last year was so impressive and so important for us. He set the tone, he leads in the field. I can think of two or three specific instances where he’s actually created run-out chances and wickets from nothing. Everyone in the field knows that they’ve got to be up to their standards because of him. He sets the tone with his energy. Everyone has seen how much he likes a fight and a scrap and how much he wants to be the person getting us over the line.””His experience and ideas will definitely help me in my leadership role,” Patidar said of Kohli•BCCIBobat also said that Kohli was actively involved in discussions surrounding Patidar being named captain.”Andy and I spent some time with Virat earlier this week actually in Ahmedabad and it was really nice getting some time with him and talking things through with him [about captaincy],” Bobat said. “And what was so obvious was he had so much energy and excitement for this decision and this appointment. He’s so pleased for Rajat, like us. He knows how deserving Rajat is of this opportunity and is right behind him.”Kohli was front and centre of RCB turning their season around in IPL 2024. Having won just one out of their first eight games, RCB won six on the bounce to make a miraculous entry into the playoffs. While they went down in the eliminator, Kohli, with 741 runs in 15 innings, won the purple cap. “I think Virat’s energy and motivation and drive is really something special to behold in a 36-year-old cricketer that’s done everything in the game,” Flower said. “I really respect him for it and it’s great role modelling for the younger players and younger overseas players to come and work with him as well. It was nice to watch it from within the same dressing room last year.”My experience with him, particularly in the first half of the last season when we were struggling and he was a huge part of turning that season around for us, in the way that he carried himself in his role modelling of how he works at the day and thinks about the day, that experience with him only made my respect for him grow. And I would say the same thing about our discussions over the captaincy of RCB coming season.”Patidar also said that having had plenty of good partnerships with Kohli over the years, he does not mind leaning on him for suggestions and that it would help him in his leadership role.”It’s a great opportunity for me to learn from one of the best,” Patidar said. “I have had a lot of partnerships with him, so I think I know him very well. So yeah, his experience and his ideas will definitely help me in my leadership role.”

Following Inter Miami's 4-0 win over NYCFC Wednesday at Citi Field, manager Javier Mascherano highlighted that the team had accomplished their first objective of the season – securing a place in the MLS playoffs. He added that while some players will get rest, the Herons will also aim to finish as high as possible in the Eastern Conference standings.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  A big boost of confidence

  Miami proved dominant in their win in New York. Lionel Messi scored twice, Baltasar Rodríguez added a goal, and Luis Suárez converted a penalty as the Herons secured another win, moving up to third in the Eastern Conference with 55 points. Mascherano’s side also notched a rare clean sheet, a feat they’ve struggled with this season. 

  “We achieved our first goal, it was very important for us. We have to keep pushing forward. We still have two games left, so we’ll try to rotate the squad a bit, but we also want to win and secure the best possible playoff position,” Mascherano said. “We want to fight for the Supporters’ Shield, but first we need to focus on Toronto, recover our players, and keep our mindset that the next match is always the most important.”

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• Messi’s team-first spirit

  Mascherano also praised Lionel Messi’s unselfishness after the Argentine star once again gave penalty opportunities to his teammates. 

  “We need goals more than he does, and that’s exactly how he wants it. He likes to share, to involve everyone. Suárez needed to score, and that’s really good for the group,” he explained.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Valuable clean sheet on the road

  Another positive takeaway for Miami was keeping a clean sheet, something the team has only done five times this season. 

  “The next games we’ll work hard to avoid conceding. That will help us a lot in the playoffs,” Mascherano said. 

  He also acknowledged the club’s next target, which is climbing as high as possible to secure home-field advantage.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Traveling to Canada

  The Herons look to keep their strong run going in MLS as they visit Toronto FC this Saturday.

كشف ليونيل سكالوني، المدير الفني لمنتخب الأرجنتين الأول لكرة القدم موقف لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد من اللعب أساسيًا رفقة منتخب راقصي التانجو.

ويعد نيكو باز وفرانكو ماستانتون لاعبين مهمين لمستقبل المنتخب الأرجنتيني، ورغم أن سكالوني يدرك الجودة التي يتمتع بها كلا اللاعبين، إلا أنه يعتقد أنهما لا يملكان مكانًا في التشكيلة الأساسية.

وحقق منتخب الأرجنتين فوزًا عريضًا على بورتوريكو بسداسية نظيفة في المباراة الودية الأخيرة التي جمعتهما صباح اليوم.

وعن مشاركة ماستناتونو ونيكو باز، لاعب كومو قال سكالوني في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “إنهما لاعبان مهمان بالنسبة لنا، كلاهما يلعبان بقدمهما اليُسرى ويلعبان في مركز متشابه رغم اختلاف ما يجيدان فعله على أرض الملعب”.

اقرأ أيضًا | دي يونج بعد تجديد عقده مع برشلونة: كنت محظوظًا باللعب مع هذا اللاعب.. وأشعر بالحماس

وأكمل: “ما زلنا نحاول معهما، إنهما لاعبان شابان لا مكان لهما حاليًا في التشكيل الأساسي، لكن الهدف هو منحهما دقائق لعب، بالتأكيد سيتمكنان من التعايش معًا في المستقبل”.

فرانكو ماستانتونو كان قد ارتدى القميص رقم 10 خلفًا للأسطورة ليونيل ميسي خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الأخيرة، لكنه غاب مؤخرًا عن مباراة فنزويلا بسبب إصابة عضلية أجبرته على العودة إلى مدريد.

في الجانب الآخر، بدأ نيكو باز أساسيًا ولعب 90 دقيقة كاملة ضد فنزويلا وأكثر من نصف ساعة ضد بورتو ريكو.

Julio Cesar has suggested Bayern Munich look to Brazil for Manuel Neuer’s long-term successor. The Inter legend highlighted Santos goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao as a “wonderful” option, even though the 24-year-old remains largely unknown in Europe. With Neuer nearing 40, Bayern face growing questions about their next No.1.

Cesar tips Brazil’s Brazao as Neuer successor

Former Brazil international Cesar has thrown a surprising name into the mix as Bayern weigh up the long-term future of Neuer. The 39-year-old captain remains first-choice at the Allianz Arena but, with his contract nearing its final stretch, attention is turning to potential successors. Cesar, who won the Champions League with Inter in 2010, has endorsed Brazao, currently impressing with Santos in Brazil.

AdvertisementGettyCesar: “Neuer is an idol, but Bayern must plan ahead”

In an interview with , Cesar was asked who he would recommend to Bayern and replied: "Neuer is an idol at FC Bayern, but he's almost 40, and Bayern have to think about the future. We have a wonderful goalkeeper in Brazil: Gabriel Brazao."

The former Inter goalkeeper then praised Neuer further, adding: "He's a wonderful goalkeeper, I like him very much. He's almost 40 years old and he's still playing at the highest level. He's one of the best goalkeepers in the world."

GettyBrazao’s rise in Brazil fuels Bayern succession talk

Brazao has had a winding career since leaving Cruzeiro for Europe in 2019, including spells at Parma and Inter, though he never made a competitive appearance in Italy. Now settled at Santos, where Neymar has strong ties the 24-year-old has impressed with consistent performances, earning praise back home. His contract runs until 2028, which could make any European move costly. For the Bavarians, Jonas Urbig is the current understudy, but the club are yet to confirm their long-term succession plan as Neuer continues to start every Bundesliga fixture.

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Getty Images SportNeuer stays No.1 but pressure to find heir grows

Neuer has ruled out an international return with Germany, despite calls for him to feature at the 2026 World Cup, but he is expected to remain Bayern’s No.1 for now. The German champions face Werder Bremen next, with questions over whether the board will eventually look abroad, and perhaps to Brazao, when they prepare for life after their iconic captain.

After a very quiet start to the transfer window, things are really starting to heat up at Aston Villa.

Back-up goalkeeper Marco Bizot was the only new signing to start the Claret and Blue Army’s Premier League opener against Newcastle, deputising for the suspended Emi Martínez, while their most noteworthy new recruit, Evann Guessand, was an unused substitute.

Meantime, as they seek to stay compliant with the Premier League’s Profitability & Sustainability Rules, Villa have made a few sales in recent days, so could this lead to them making a notable addition?

Aston Villa's new look attack

On Sunday, it was confirmed that Jacob Ramsey had departed Aston Villa, the club he joined as a six-year-old, signing for Newcastle United for a reported fee of £43m.

Meantime, having not even been on the bench at the weekend, Leon Bailey is expected to complete a move to Roma this week, with the Giallorossi paying a £2m loan fee, the deal containing a £19m option to buy.

So, could these departures facilitate an attacking addition or two being added to Unai Emery’s squad?

Well, according to a report by the Daily Mirror, Aston Villa are ‘interested’ in signing Leandro Trossard from Arsenal, with Brentford as well as ‘several foreign clubs’ also monitoring the Belgian’s situation; Fenerbahçe and Bayern Munich have been mentioned in the past.

Interestingly, the £18m-rated forward was an unused substitute during the Gunners’ Premier League opener at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta turning to new signing Noni Madueke instead, when the Belgian had previously been the first man off the bench for so long.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Having spent big, Arsenal need to raise funds in the remaining weeks of the window, looking to offload Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fábio Vieira and possibly Trossard too, so could he soon swap North London for Villa Park?

What Leandro Trossard would bring to Aston Villa

Ever since he first arrived in the Premier League, joining Brighton from Genk, Trossard has been a consistent performer.

He scored 25 goals and registered 15 assists in 121 outings for the Seagulls, most notably bagging a hat-trick against Liverpool at Anfield, before a public falling out with Roberto De Zerbi in January 2023 saw him depart.

Having failed in their pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk, Arsenal swooped in and signed Trossard, and this has certainly proved to be £27m well spent.

The Belgian has racked up 28 goals and 23 assists in 124 Arsenal appearances, earning a reputation as something of a super sub, often making key contributions off the bench, including scoring with his first touch at Villa Park almost exactly 12 months ago, this the last time Aston Villa tasted defeat in a league match at home.

Ben Jacobs of talkSPORT labelled him a “clinical” finisher, while manager Arteta described him as “competitive”, adding “he wants to win… he always wants to be the best”. In the words of one Arsenal content creator, he is “one of the most underrated player in the Premier League”.

Trossard featured in all 38 of Arsenal’s Premier League matches last season, the only outfielder to achieve this, filling in across the front line, deployed as a centre-forward and a second-striker, as well as on both flanks, given the Gunners’ injury crisis.

Should he move to Villa, Emery would surely appreciate this versatility, but let’s assess how he compares to the outgoing Bailey.

As the table outlines, Trossard has produced a far greater output across the last two Premier League seasons, albeit Bailey does come out on top in terms of assists, chances created and dribbles per 90, albeit the Belgian completed a higher proportion of his take-ons.

So, in terms of being an out-and-out goal threat, Trossard would surely represent a clear upgrade on what Villa are selling.

Also, as already documented, the Belgian is very durable, while the same cannot be said of the departed Ramsey, who missed eight Premier League matches last season due to a hamstring injury, having seen little over 1,000 minutes during the previous campaign due to metatarsal, foot, toe and hamstring issues.

Even last year, when making 46 appearances, accumulating over 2,300 minutes, the 24-year-old scored just four goals and registered a mere seven assists across all competitions.

Given that Villa could play as many as 67 matches this season, including up to 17 in the Europa League, Trossard’s availability would surely prove invaluable.

Thus, if Arsenal are eager to sell, and the 30-year-old is available at the right price, he would add plenty to Emery’s squad.

Asensio repeat: Aston Villa making late push to sign "superb" Spanish star

Aston Villa are pushing to sign a £4m star who could be Asensio 2.0.

1

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 18, 2025

Crystal Palace will no doubt be eager to put this hectic summer transfer window behind them.

Unfortunately, not even sealing a double whammy of successes in the FA Cup and Community Shield would be able to keep Eberechi Eze fixed at Selhurst Park, with the former Eagles attacking midfielder poached by fellow Premier League side Arsenal late on.

However, Palace could make the window look a tad more rosy very soon, with a verbal agreement now reportedly in place for Oliver Glasner’s men to sign this £17m attacker.

Palace verbally agree deal for £17m star

The Eagles might well still wave goodbye to Marc Guehi before the 7pm deadline, but there will be rays of positivity all the same regarding one incoming.

As has been reported by Fabrizio Romano, via X, Getafe ace Christantus Uche is now in London to seal a late switch to Palace, with a deal between the La Liga outfit and Glasner and Co. verbally agreed.

Uche has been subject to widespread interest from the Premier League this summer, with Wolverhampton Wanderers even close at one point to bringing in the £17m star.

But, it looks as if the Eagles will be the winners for his coveted signature after all, as Uche now dreams of forming a terrifying duo up top with Palace man of the moment Jean-Philippe Mateta.

How Uche and Mateta could link up

Mateta would get the ball rolling for his beloved side against Aston Villa last time out, as this calmly tucked away penalty then opened the floodgates to hand the visitors a comfortable 3-0 victory.

That bumps up the clinical Frenchman’s early-season total to three goals from six clashes, and with Uche soon to be by his side by all accounts, his overall tally of 49 strikes for the Eagles will surely just rise and rise.

Games played

33

Goals scored

4

Assists

6

Touches*

34.4

Accurate passes*

11.6 (67%)

Big chances created

7

Total duels won*

6.8

The £17m Nigerian already has a goal and assist next to his name this season from just three La Liga encounters, but it’s his consistent excellence last season in the testing Spanish top-flight that will be music to the ears of Palace – and Mateta in particular – with Uche picking up six assists, despite only averaging a low 11.6 accurate passes per clash.

Mateta often only needs a split second to wreak havoc himself, with a mere 22.6 touches averaged per league game across his standout 2024/25 offering for Palace in the Premier League, but a lethal 14 strikes would still arrive at his door, nonetheless.

Moreover, the one-time Wolves target often uses his strength to fire away goals, as seen in his high 6.8 duels won on average during his breakout campaign in Spain, with four strikes also coming his way to be branded a “defender’s nightmare” by scout Antonio Mango.

Of course, Mateta – coming in at a lofty 6-foot-4 frame – has also often used his brute power as an advantage, with Arsenal great Thierry Henry even going as far as to herald the Selhurst Park fan favourite as an “old-fashioned striker” for his physical approach.

With Eze heartbreakingly gone, adding in Uche could get the Palace fanbase back on side, particularly if he goes on to get even more out of an already red-hot Mateta.

After Pino: Crystal Palace now in advanced talks to sign "intelligent" star

He’s got Champions League experience…

ByTom Cunningham Aug 30, 2025