Speaking recently on the HLTCO Podcast, Dan Cook provided an update on Crystal Palace’s links with Brentford winger Said Benrahma.
Benrahma set the second tier alight with his performances last season, scoring 17 goals and providing nine assists over his 46 Championship and Championship play-off appearances, averaging a highly impressive WhoScored average rating of 7.49.
As a result of these impressive displays, the £9.45 million-rated 25-year-old had been linked with a number of Premier League clubs over the summer transfer window, including Aston Villa and West Ham United.
However, a recent report claimed that Palace are now the only club in the race to sign the winger and that they will ‘try to sort out a deal before the transfer deadline’.
This is something that Cook discussed on a recent episode of the HLTCO Podcast, with the podcaster stating his belief that, if Palace’s interest is indeed serious, then he would expect the club to make a bid for Benrahma within the next five to seven days.
He said: “In terms of Said Benrahma from Brentford, the saga rumbles on.
“There isn’t necessarily any concrete news because there hasn’t been all summer, but we are seemingly the only club that are seriously interested in placing a bid for him, as things stand. There’s plenty of chatter, albeit no move from us yet.
“There’s still plenty of time to get a deal done, as there has been all summer, but it’s difficult to know if we will make a decisive bid at any point. I’m not actually sure whether a bid has been made privately or publicly yet.
“I know there’s interest from us and, indeed, Roy Hodgson has discussed Said Benrahma in press conferences himself, but, in terms of a formal offer, I’m not sure one has been made yet.
“I think [we’ll] probably [be] hedging our bets somewhat [over] the next week or so to see whether or not we can squeeze a little bit more value out of any potential deal.
“I think if we are serious, then we will put a bid in probably within the next five to seven days.”
Would you be happy for Palace to make a £30 million move for Benrahma?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
From Cook’s comments, it is clear that the podcaster is of the belief that, if Palace are indeed seriously interested in Benrahma, then they will launch a bid in the very near future.
With a little over a week of the summer transfer window remaining, it is our opinion that the club should make their move sooner rather than later, in order to reduce the possibility of the deal not going through, should any complications arise that could cause a delay to the winger’s potential switch from Brentford to Crystal Palace.