Crystal Palace boost for Shakhtar second leg
Palace have made a ‘significant’ offer for Paris FC defender Moustapha Mbow, moving ahead of Liverpool in the chase.
Palace and Brighton plan $3m bids for 16-year-old Atlético Nacional winger José Escorcia. He cannot move to the UK until 2027. Palace’s Colombian duo Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma could sway him.
Will Hughes returns for Palace vs Shakhtar. Evann Guessand and Borna Sosa remain out, with Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucouré also unavailable. Palace lead 3-1 but Oliver Glasner warns the tie is not over.
Preview backs Palace to finish the job vs Shakhtar after a 3-1 first-leg win, tipping Ismaila Sarr to score again. Palace’s home defence is strong, but Shakhtar score freely away. Predicted score: 2-1. Livescore
Ipswich chief Mark Ashton expects interest in Kieran McKenna amid links to Palace replacing Oliver Glasner, but says he expects McKenna to stay as planning for next season is under way.
Jean-Philippe Mateta recounts his AC Milan move collapsing after knee tests, then 38 days out on his Palace return. He says he is ‘100%’, embracing competition after Jörgen Strand Larsen’s arrival.
Palace target Dominik Livaković from Fenerbahçe after his Dinamo loan. A €5m move ‘could satisfy’ all parties, though Dean Henderson’s status may affect it. Agent says there is ‘a lot of interest’.
Palace join Everton and Aston Villa for Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti, valued at €20m-€25m. Everton are said to be ahead, but Palace view him as a defensive option seeking first-team football.
