Crystal Palace close to signing £63k-p/w ace wanted by Glasner

After guiding Crystal Palace to a tenth-place finish in the last Premier League campaign, it looks like Oliver Glasner will receive a significant vote of confidence in the transfer market this summer.

Palace are looking to build on a strong end to the season

If Glasner's aim was to steer Palace away from relegation, it's safe to say the Austrian filled the brief and then some. By winning seven of his thirteen league games in charge, the South London side have picked up valuable scalps against Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United.

After their first top-flight finish in almost a decade, it's clear that Steve Parish is determined to strengthen his squad and push for European football next season. The priority for the Eagles will be to keep the stars present at the club with the combined 21 goals of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze both attracting interest from the top six teams.

In terms of income, Parish and others appear to be hungry to replicate the exceptional business that saw Adam Wharton move to Palace and hit the ground running. Also entering the Championship market, the Eagles are reportedly interested in Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham.

By opening the checkbook and spending big money away from Parish's behavior, Palace have made significant strides in signing one of the most talented free agents this summer.

Palace are two steps away from getting the deal over the line

As first reported on Fabrizio Romano's X account, Palace are finalizing the final steps in their pursuit of Daichi Kamada. According to Romano, all that is left is for the Japanese player to pass the medical examination and for the contracts to be exchanged.

This deal will represent a major coup for Palace as the 27-year-old has no shortage of players since his intentions to leave Lazio became known at the end of last season. Kamada previously played under Glasner at Eintracht Frankfurt, with Romano saying the Austrian is too keen for a deal to happen.

Despite managing just two goals during his time in Italy, Kamada's impressive 40-goal haul in Frankfurt suggests a reunion with Glasner could be just what the Japan international needs to get his career back on track. The 27-year-old was a key part of the Austrian side Frankfurt that won the Europa League in 2022.

An attacking midfielder who is happy to play anywhere across the forward line, Kamada would be an excellent backup to Eze and Olise and is more than capable of stepping up if one or both leave this summer. With the futures of two Palace stars looking uncertain, finding a replacement would be a sensible move for those at the top of the club.

Currently earning £63,000 a week, taking Kamada on a free transfer would be the latest in a long line of smart deals made under Parish's guidance.