According to recent reports, Crystal Palace are set to battle Fulham for the summer signing of Southampton midfielder, Harrison Reed.
The reports by Football Insider state that newly-promoted Fulham, where Reed spent last season on loan, are keen to make their temporary deal for the 25-year-old a permanent one this summer.
However, it is then stated that Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is also interested in the midfielder, and is said to be ‘impressed’ with the way Reed had ‘flourished’ as a ‘midfield anchorman’ last term, with Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl reportedly prepared to sell the £2.16 million-rated 25-year-old for £8 million.
Reed made 28 appearances for Scott Parker’s side last season, providing two assists and averaging 1.8 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 49.6 passes per game in the Championship, culminating in a 6.73 WhoScored match rating – ranking him as the club’s 11th best performer.
The midfielder had previous loan spells with the likes of Blackburn Rovers, where he played 37 matches, scoring three goals and providing seven assists, and Norwich City, featuring 43 times, scoring one goal and providing four assists.
TIF Thoughts…
With Crystal Palace said to want to bring the average age of their squad down with transfers this summer, the signing of Reed could well fall into that category, as the midfielder is significantly younger than the likes of Luka Milivojevic, Cheikhou Kouyate, James McArthur, James McCarthy – four of Palace’s current central midfielders.