Crystal Palace launch audacious ‘last-minute offer’ to sign Leeds target from Bayern Munich

Crystal Palace submitted an ambitious ‘last-minute’ bid to try and sign a player from Bayern Munich before his transfer elsewhere, according to a report.

Palace have only signed one player so far this summer, with central midfielder Jefferson Lerma arriving on a free transfer following the expiry of his Bournemouth contract. Lerma has penned a three-year contract with the Eagles.

Interestingly, German source Sport1 have claimed Palace tried to follow that deal up with the capture of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.

The 26-year-old recently returned from a two-year loan spell at Monaco. He is surplus to requirements at Bayern as they are interested in signing David de Gea following his Manchester United exit, while they will also be able to rely on Manuel Neuer once he returns from injury.

New Leeds United boss Daniel Farke had been hoping to take Nubel to Elland Road in a permanent deal worth around €10million (£8.6m).

As per the latest from Sport1, Palace ‘tried very hard’ to sign Nubel from Bayern. They came forward with a ‘last-minute offer’ to try and beat Leeds, as well as German club Stuttgart, to the shot-stopper.

Unfortunately for Roy Hodgson’s side, they have missed out on Nubel. On Tuesday, Stuttgart announced the signing of Nubel on a season-long loan. According to reports emerging from Germany, Stuttgart have spent €800k (£685k) to complete the temporary deal.

Crystal Palace target heads elsewhere

Nubel, who previously represented Germany U21s at international level, will be Stuttgart’s new number one following Florian Muller’s transfer to Freiburg.

Hodgson can currently rely on Sam Johnstone, Vicente Guaita and Remi Matthews in goal. However, he is searching for a new keeper as Guaita is now 36 years old and could soon retire, while Matthews lacks experience at Premier League level.

But now Nubel has gone elsewhere, Hodgson and Palace will have to start hunting for an alternative signing.

Goalkeeper is not the only position Palace may need to bolster during the summer transfer window. They might need to bring in another centre-back as current options Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen are on the radars of rival clubs.

Indeed, Chelsea are firming up their interest in former player Guehi. And according to a recent report from the Daily Star, Palace might attempt an incredible move for Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte to replace Guehi.