Crystal Palace target Pierre Sage as Mateta standoff looms
Pierre Sage has decided to leave Lens after a trophy-winning season, with relations described as ‘beyond repair’. Crystal Palace have identified him as their priority to replace Oliver Glasner, and Lens are expected to hold talks with the Eagles over Sage’s exit terms.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is in a contract standoff and is set to be out of contract next summer, with Palace likely to sell if no new deal is agreed, though they would prefer him to extend.
Twelve Palace players are set for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada. The expanded 48-team finals feature a record 104 matches, kicking off on 12 June.
Ashleigh Weerden and Abbie Larkin are shortlisted for the PFA WSL2 Players' Player after leading Palace Women to second place and promotion, with Weerden posting a league-record 10 assists.
Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen are competing to sign Monaco’s Krépin Diatta as a free agent. Palace value his versatility at wing-back and up front, and a new manager could decide whether to push ahead.
Palace pay tribute to former forward Bobby Tambling, 84, who scored 12 goals in 68 league games and netted twice in a 2-1 Anglo-Italian Cup win at Inter in 1971.
