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Crystal Palace now considering January move for Man Utd target Joao Gomes
Crystal Palace are now considering a January move for an “all action” midfielder, given that they are short on options in the middle of the park.
Palace eyeing new midfielder as Glasner bemoans squad size
Oliver Glasner is set to leave Palace at the end of the season, upon the expiration of his contract, and the manager launched a scathing attack on the board following the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.
The Austrian said: “I feel we are being abandoned completely. I can’t blame any player. They did everything they could and this has been going on for weeks and months now.
“We have 12, 13 players from the squad available and we feel no support. The worst thing is selling our captain one day before playing a Premier League game.
“We are preparing, it’s the first [full] week we are training since September, and then we are selling our captain one day before a game. So I have no understanding of this.”
One position in which Glasner is particularly short is central midfield, given that both Daichi Kamada and Cheick Doucoure are sidelined with injury, and the Eagles could bring in a new option during the January transfer window.
That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Crystal Palace are now considering a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes this month, with a loan or permanent move possible.
A number of Europe’s biggest clubs are also in the race for Gomes, however, with Manchester United, Napoli, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid also named as potential suitors, so there could be fierce competition for his signature.
Wolves are expected to hold out for a big fee, however, with it previously being revealed they could demand £50m for the £105k-a-week midfielder this month.
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He’s one of his country’s “best young prospects”.
Gomes could be exciting signing for Crystal Palace
Lauded as an “all action” midfielder and a “dog of a ball winner” by scout Ben Mattinson, the 24-year-old is very impressive when it comes to winning back possession, while he is also a strong dribbler.
|
Joao Gomes’ best attributes |
Average per 90 (past year) |
|
Successful take-ons |
1.22 (92nd percentile) |
|
Tackles |
3.32 (96th percentile) |
Although Wolves have been poor this season, sitting bottom of the Premier League, the ten-time Brazil international has caught the eye at times, recently making five tackles in a 1-1 draw against Everton, the highest number of any player.
Gomes is now very experienced in the Premier League, making 101 appearances in the top flight, so he could be a low-risk addition to the midfield, with Palace definitely in need of reinforcements, given Glasner’s concerns about the squad size.
