Crystal Palace are interested in signing Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong this summer, and they want to bring the defender in on a permanent deal.
Enzo Maresca was a massive fan of the centre-back, saying after a victory against Legia Warsaw in the Champions League: “But the one that I fell in love with tonight was Josh Acheampong because, for me, potentially, he can be a fantastic player, a top player, for this club, for the football in general.”
However, the 19-year-old has since struggled for game time in the Premier League, starting just two matches in 2026, which means his development is at risk of being hampered.
Scout Jacek Kulig has described the teenager as “the future of Chelsea and English football”, while also lauding him for his “fantastic athletic prowess,” which suggests he would have a lot to give at a different Premier League club, where regular game time is more of a guarantee.
Crystal Palace enter race to sign Josh Acheampong
According to a report from Sports Boom, a number of clubs are lining up to sign Acheampong, including Crystal Palace and Everton, who are both interested in a permanent deal in the upcoming transfer window, rather than a loan.
Bayern Munich and Coventry City are also named as potential suitors for the Englishman, who has represented his country six times at U21 level, albeit he is not deemed a priority target for the German side, who are through to the Champions League semi-finals.
Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong in action at the Club World Cup.
It is unclear what sort of fee the Blues are planning to hold out for, but there is a feeling the Eagles may not be able to meet their demands, and a deal could be difficult to orchestrate.
Oliver Glasner confirms injury boost ahead of tough Liverpool test
Oliver Glasner‘s side are gearing up for an exciting end to the season, with the Europa Conference League up for grabs, and they could still mount a late push for Europe, having moved five points adrift of seventh-place Brentford with a game in hand.
Palace got another point on the board in a 0-0 draw against West Ham United on Monday night, after which Glasner confirmed Adam Wharton is in line to return for the trip to Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend, in a welcome boost.
The Austrian said: “He should be back (on Saturday) – it was mostly a precaution more or less, [he showed] a little bit of clinical symptoms. I expect him back on Thursday in training when we start to prepare for the Liverpool game and he should be available.”
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