Crystal Palace are well-placed to sign Real Betis defender Natan this summer, as they hold a key advantage over their Premier League rivals in the race for his signature.
Interest in a new centre-back stems from failing to replace Marc Guehi in the January transfer window, with the England international being sold to Manchester City, which caused well-documented issues between Oliver Glasner and the board.
At one stage, things turned a little toxic, with the manager hitting out at the fans, but it appears as though he is set to remain in charge until the end of the season, with Palace still dreaming of winning the Europa Conference League.
The Eagles are through to the quarter-finals, and take on Fiorentina in the first leg at Selhurst Park on Thursday night, with Glasner saying ahead of the all-important tie: “On Saturday, I went to Verona to watch Fiorentina. On Sunday, we were all together and started to prepare. We had quite a lot of time to prepare – we feel ready and we’re looking ready.”
Considering the Austrian won’t be involved in the summer recruitment, he will be fully focused on bringing home another trophy, but work is going on behind the scenes to bring in a new centre-back.
Crystal Palace keen on signing Real Betis defender Natan
According to a report from La Razon (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace are now in a strong position to sign Real Betis star Natan this summer, as they have a good working relationship with the La Liga side, having signed Chadi Riad from them in 2024.
As such, Palace have a key advantage over rival suitors AFC Bournemouth, with Betis now willing to sanction a departure at the end of the season, should they receive a fee of €40m (£35m).
Journalist Manu Colchon described the Brazilian as “outstanding” earlier this season, and he has been one of Real Betis’ most important players in La Liga, making 26 appearances, with an average of 7.3 clearances per 90, ranking him joint-first in the squad.
At 25-years-old, the Betis star, who won the league title with Flamengo in 2020, is at the right age to be a long-term successor to Guehi, and Selhurst Park will be an attractive destination if Palace have Europa League football on offer next season.
However, Glasner has been handed an injury setback ahead of Thursday’s crucial Europa Conference League match.
Nketiah suffers injury blow before Fiorentina
Glasner has confirmed Eddie Nketiah won’t take part against Fiorentina, telling the media: “It’s how football is – it looks like everybody is available for tomorrow’s game and it was, up until two minutes before the end of the session. Eddie unfortunately injured his hamstring again and had to leave the pitch. He won’t make tomorrow’s squad and we will have a scan again but it doesn’t look good again for him.”
However, in more positive news, Adam Wharton is available for selection, despite suffering a minor setback on international duty with England.
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Steve Parish is driving the move.