Crystal Palace are anticipating a major summer of change at the end of the season, and Steve Parish is already making moves despite no new manager being in place yet.
The Eagles have one foot in the final of the Conference League after a 3-1 win against Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their semi-final, while they are pushing for a top-half finish in the Premier League after a mixed campaign domestically.
But with Oliver Glasner set to depart when his contract expires, and strong interest in a number of key players at the club too, key officials are already going ahead with plans to strengthen the squad for next season.
Crystal Palace Eyeing Move for Rice
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace have held talks over a move to sign Rangers starlet Bailey Rice this summer.
The 19-year-old is out of contract at Ibrox this summer, and despite being incredibly highly rated, he has found game time hard to come by this season after recovering from a knee injury. There is no expectation that he will renew his contract at this stage, leaving clubs with a free run to hold talks over taking him south of the border.
Palace believe he has a bright future, and have already held talks with the player and his camp, presenting his pathway to regular football at Selhurst Park, where he can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, and others who have developed in south London.
Described as ‘incredible’, Rice is considered to be one of the most exciting Scottish talents around, and he is ready to make the move to the Premier League, although there is also interest from European clubs such as Ajax, Schalke, and Stuttgart.
Palace Could be Perfect for Rice
Rice is a very highly-rated midfield talent, who excels in the middle of the park at breaking up play, progressing the ball, and keeping things ticking. But he lacks experience at the highest level and regular game time to develop, which makes Palace a potentially perfect destination.
The Eagles have regularly shown that they are the type of club to have the patience to develop a top talent, and he could eventually become the long-term heir to Wharton’s throne at the club.
A lot will depend on who the next manager is, and whether they see him as having that level of talent and if he can help the squad, but it’s encouraging that they are looking at these players again despite their recent successes on the pitch.
Related
Perfect Candidate: Crystal Palace Eyeing ‘World-Class’ Manager Amid Iraola Blow
They need to get him in ASAP.