Premier League clubs are scrapping over one of the Champions League standout performers this season, but they all face a race against time to recruit Bodo Glimt’s latest star, Jens Petter Hauge, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Our sources understand Crystal Palace are in hot pursuit of the Norwegian international, but now goal-shy Everton have entered the race to try and sign the former AC Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt star as well.
FA Cup holders Palace are an obvious destination for the 26-year-old, a key component of Bodo’s run to the Champions League last 16 qualifying stage where they will face Inter Milan over two legs.
Wing wonder Hauge worked under Eagles boss Oliver Glasner and was a late substitute as the German side lifted the Europa League in 2022 with a penalty shootout win over Glasgow Rangers.
Any move for the talented Scandinavian, whose style of play has led to comparisons with Heung-Min Son, hinges on the future of Palace’s French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
MOVING FORCE
Mateta wants to force a move away from Selhurst Park, most likely to Nottingham Forest with West Ham another option.
If he stays then any move for Hauge will need to wait until the summer. Everton are among the Premier League’s lowest scorers.
And it would have scored even fewer had it not been for Thierno Barry’s current purple patch which has seen him net four goals in five games.
One Premier League manager who has previously expressed his admiration of Hauge is Spurs chief Thomas Frank.
The Dane tried to recruit Hauge for Brentford and his judgement looked a sound one when Glimt’s goal getter bagged a double in a 2-2 Champions League draw against Spurs earlier this season.
He also found the net in his team’s stunning 3-1 success against Manchester City and finished the eight group games with a total of four.