Sources: Crystal Palace working on signing two attacking stars after Zaha twist

Crystal Palace are working on deals for both a winger and a striker as the final month of the summer window approaches, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed Eagles boss Roy Hodgson is not happy with his attacking options with the start of the new season just two weeks away.

That dissatisfaction has been heightened by the departure of Wilfried Zaha, who left for Galatasaray following the expiry of his contract last month.

Football Insider revealed on Saturday (29 July) that Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville has emerged as a target for Crystal Palace.

It is believed Summerville’s Whites teammate, Wilfried Gnonto, is also of interest to the London side.

However, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that no final decision has been taken and the club’s transfer chiefs are continuing to cast a wide net across Europe as they vie to find the right solutions.

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Hodgson’s side have made just one summer addition thus far, bringing Jefferson Lerma to the club following the expiry of his Bournemouth contract.

Palace are very keen to dip into the transfer market yet again to replace club legend Zaha – who netted seven goals last term.

Eberechi Eze was the club’s top scorer in the 2022-23 campaign with 10 goals – while recognised forwards Jean-Phillipe Mateta, Odsonne Edouard and Jordan Ayew combined for just 13 strikes.

The Selhurst Park club were among the lowest scorers in the Premier League last season despite registering an 11th-place finish.

They will kick off the new campaign with an away clash against newly-promoted Sheffield United on 12 August.

In other news, Chelsea want Palace star amid £60m+ reveal.

Crystal Palace: Eddie Nketiah emphatically trumps Mateta

This signing would hugely benefit Palace and the player himself

Between 12th November 2022 and 19th March 2023, Crystal Palace played 15 Premier League games.

This was their most wretched period of the season, as they lost nine times, didn’t score in as many games, and only managed seven goals.

It was a startling condemnation of their misfiring attack that eventually culminated in the sacking of Patrick Vieira.

Luckily, wily veteran Roy Hodgson was reinstated as manager and rediscovered the potent verve of the frontline as the Eagles eventually finished 11th.

However, much of this rejuvenation is owed to the form of Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, and Michael Olise. But, the Ivorian has moved to Galatasaray upon the expiration of his contract, whilst Olise is attracting interest from the Premier League heavyweights.

It leaves Palace in a precarious position, which they must rectify with the addition of some much-needed attacking reinforcements.

One man linked to Selhurst Park is Eddie Nketiah.

What’s the latest on Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace?

According to TheEaglesBeak (via football.london), the Eagles are in the running to sign Nkeitah as Hodgson seeks to bolster his forward options this summer.

But, the report states that the move for the Arsenal academy graduate will rely upon the sale of Jean Phillipe-Mateta.

Nketiah is valued at €40m (£34m) by CIES Football Observatory and the south Londoners are set to reignite their interest in the 24-year-old, who they attempted to sign last year.

This time, Palace have a much more pressing need to assess and should try even harder to bring Nkeitah to Selhurst Park.

Would Eddie Nketiah be a good signing for Crystal Palace?

Since making his Arsenal debut in 2017, the 5 foot 11 livewire has struggled to ever forge any consistent runs in the first-team. His most notable breakthrough occurred in the most recent campaign when a long-term injury to Gabriel Jesus meant he was promoted within the squad.

The Englishman, who was described as “brilliant” by Gary Neville, grabbed this opportunity admirably, and in 11 Premier League games, he registered six involvements, including a double in pulsating victory over Manchester United.

However, the signing of Leandro Trossard in the January window and the eventual return of Jesus meant that Nketiah found reinstated as just a squad player. He finished the season with just nine top-flight starts, whilst being substituted on a mammoth 21 times.

Despite signing a new long-term contract last summer, worth a reported £100k-per-week, it seems to have done nothing to boost his chances of regular football at the Emirates. Moreover, the recent addition of Kai Havertz to the ranks is another blow.

So, if Nketiah transferred to the south of the capital, he can become Palace’s new talisman, and he comfortably surpasses Mateta in numerous attacking metrics.

This includes non-penalty xG per 90 (0.64 vs 0.40), shots per 90 (3.53 vs 3.16), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.18 vs 0.94), progressive passes per 90 (1.4 vs 0.7), progressive carries per 90 (2.97 vs 1.05), and successful take-ons per 90 (1.12 vs 0.35), per FBref.

This move could reignite Nketiah’s stuttering career and means that Palace could bolster their weak attacking options.