The Sun journalist Tom Barclay has claimed that Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira wants to bring in another striker in the summer transfer market in order to bolster attacking options.
The South London outfit enjoyed a hugely successful maiden season under their new manager as they managed to finish 12th in the Premier League with a goal difference of four, the first time they have finished with a positive goal difference since they arrived back in the top flight, as well as making the FA Cup semi-final for the first time since 2016.
A big reason for their improved form has been down to the incoming signings of the last summer transfer window, including Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Michael Olise, Will Hughes, Conor Gallagher, and Odsonne Edouard.
According to Barclay, it now looks like the Eagles brass are prepared to continue their investment in Vieira in the transfer window with another attacking option to compete with Edouard, Jean-Phillipe Mateta, and Christian Benteke.
He told GiveMeSport, “I still think, if they can, they would like to bring in another striker. We talked about Nketiah for a long time, and I don’t know if that will happen, but if they do manage to bring in another striker it’s only going to make life more difficult for Benteke.
“I haven’t gone through his minutes in the second half of the season, but I can’t imagine them to be particularly high.”
Should Palace sign another striker?No
Yes
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TIF Thoughts on Barclay’s comments…
While Palace enjoyed a great season under Vieira, they still struggled with finishing their chances despite creating a lot of chances, in fact, they would have managed to finish 9th rather than 12th if they had put away all their chances, according to Football xG.
Despite bringing in both Edouard and Mateta on permanent deals this season they could definitely make use of a new signing in the position to give them a challenge and some competition as the latter finished the season with seven goals and Edouard finished with six.
It has been reported the Eagles are interested in signing Derby’s young striker Malcolm Ebiowei, but they are yet to submit a formal transfer bid. Otherwise, there have not been many rumours about specific attackers they are looking at just yet.