Crystal Palace are struggling in the Premier League, with just one win this season — their small squad needs reinforcements.
Manager Oliver Glasner opted for only 20 senior outfield players, with three goalkeepers also named, which means there is space to register a further two senior players (with unlimited spots for under-21s).
They have suffered injury problems, too, increasing the urgency for arrivals in January.
Depending on what happens with key players Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze, it could also be a significant summer for transfers. Here The Athletic looks at what awaits.
What positions will they be looking at in 2025?
Palace desperately need to bolster their floundering attack. They are the Premier League’s joint-second-lowest scorers with 10 goals, better only than Southampton and level with Everton.
Given they spent £25million ($31.4m) to sign Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal in the summer — the forward is yet to return a Premier League goal — that is alarming. He does not fit easily into the No 10 role despite a relatively promising opening three appearances. Ismaila Sarr is also not a natural No 10 and has struggled to make an impact. Matheus Franca has been absent through injury and, even when he returns, he remains unproven.
Palace will look to sign forwards in January and potentially in the summer. “He (Franca) was a very important player in our planning but hasn’t been available for the whole season. We don’t have many numbers. It’s clear we want to add an attacking player,” Glasner said in his press conference before the 2-2 Premier League draw with Aston Villa in November.
Palace will also be considering a left wing-back to compete with and cover Tyrick Mitchell. “It’s not difficult to analyse our squad,” Glasner said. “We’ve got midfielders, it wouldn’t make sense to add a new centre-midfielder. The same at the back, we have enough. But when we look at the left wing-back position, we see we don’t have many left-footed wing-backs.”
Are there any players they are already looking at?
There is still interest in Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, who has played as a winger or attacking midfielder in Ligue 1 this season.
The French club is owned by Eagle Football, the multi-club vehicle of Palace general partner John Textor who is eager to move Cherki to bolster Palace’s attack. That interest had begun in the summer but no offer was made, while Fulham had a bid accepted but the move did not come off.
The suggestion of signing Cherki has been warmly received despite differences of opinion over Textor’s Eagle project, but Cherki would need some persuading to sign for Palace.
Brazil and Botafogo striker Igor Jesus is a possibility — again, via Textor, who has owned Botafogo since 2021. There has been interest from several clubs, including West Ham United. A loan or permanent sale are possible but any bids would need to meet Textor’s high valuation. Whether Palace could meet that price tag remains to be seen.
Who will they be looking to sell?
Glasner has no intention of letting any of his players go in January. “It would not be a good idea to sell and not bring anyone in,” he said.
But in the summer, there are likely to be exits. Odsonne Edouard fell out of favour and his loan move to Leicester City has not been successful either, with the striker playing only 26 minutes. If Palace can find a willing suitor they may allow him to leave.
They will not actively look to sell Guehi. Instead efforts will continue to try to tie their captain down to a new contract. But, come the summer, there will be 12 months remaining on his existing deal, so a decision will have to be made. If he does not want to extend his deal, the choice will be to risk allowing him to leave on a free transfer a year later or to take a cut-price deal for the centre-back.
Eze is another interesting case. He signed an extension to 2027 in the summer but chairman Steve Parish’s comments in September to Sky Sports expressing surprise at the lack of offers hinted at a possible willingness to sell the 26-year-old. It would help fund any significant purchase in the summer, but he would need replacing before any move was sanctioned.
What moves have they made already?
No offers have yet been made to sign players but Glasner revealed conversations with Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman had taken place in preparation for the January window and they have identified the areas that require strengthening.
“We talked before (the break) about the plan for January,” Glasner said. “We found an agreement and talked about it. But the most important thing is to realise it.”
Who will make the key decisions over the two windows?
This is the remit of Freedman and Parish, but Glasner’s input will also be sought.
Which players’ contracts are expiring? Who is expected to renew?
The most experienced player whose contract is expiring is Joel Ward. The defender has yet to feature this season and may well leave in the summer when he will be 35, following his 13th season at Palace.
Jeffrey Schlupp could depart when his deal ends.
Will Hughes triggered a contract extension last season and has been an important member of Glasner’s side. Palace will be keen to tie him down to a new deal.
Nathaniel Clyne is more likely to stay than Ward, but he will be 34 at the end of the season.
Goalkeeper Remi Matthews will be out of contract but could stay.
What is their PSR position?
Palace have no concerns over profit and sustainability rules.
(Top photos: Getty Images)
