According to recent reports, Alexander Sorloth has already played his last game for Crystal Palace, despite the forward enjoying a fine season while on loan at Trabzonspor this season, and the south London club in desperate need of a goalscorer.
The reports by The Express claim that the Turkish side will go on to make the 24-year-old’s two-year loan deal a permanent one for a nominal fee of just £5.5 million, leaving Roy Hodgson to rue the decision to send the striker, who Palace signed for £8.1 million in January 2018, away from the club last summer.
While Palace managed just 31 Premier League goals this season, a record which only bettered bottom of the table Norwich City, Sorloth bagged 24 goals and provided eight assists in the Super Lig, in addition to a further six goals in the Turkish Cup, taking his total to 30 in all competitions.
It is also reported that, once Trabzonspor sign the player, they could immediately look to cash in on the Norway international, with Lazio and Wolfsburg amongst the clubs said to be interested in the £11.70 million-rated man, with Palace powerless to stop Trabzonspor making the £5.50 million permanent signing of Sorloth, having failed to break the loan agreement with the Turkish side.
TIF Thoughts…
With the benefit of hindsight, it would appear that Palace’s decision to loan Sorloth out was indeed a poor one, especially with an obligation to buy clause.
Will Crystal Palace live to regret Sorloth's option to buy clause?
Yes
No
In his time in south London, the 24-year-old made just 20 appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist, but, as is evident from his record this season, the striker is capable of much more than his record with Palace, and it would certainly appear as if the club did not afford Sorloth amble time to prove himself to them.