Crystal Palace’s lacklustre end to the 2015-16 season led to the club’s propensity to make moves on the transfer market.
Palace battled against relegation last season but paradoxically reached to the FA Cup final, where they lost to Manchester United.
On Tuesday, the South London club signed defender James Tomkins from West Ham. The transaction marks the club’s third signing of the summer in their quest for a rebuild.
Manager Alan Pardew will continue to look around for reinforcements. Pardew is hungry for silverware after coming within a goal of breaking the club’s 110-year drought without a major trophy.
If he wishes to manage his squad in the Premier League again, he must continue to remain active this summer.
These are the FIVE players that could follow Tomkins to Crystal Palace…
Christian Benteke
Benteke’s performance this season didn’t validate the £32.5million Liverpool paid Aston Villa for him last summer. The Belgian striker struggled in Anfield, scoring only 10 goals in 42 appearances.
He has recently been linked to Crystal Palace, which could potentially break the club’s record of £31.5million.
Liverpool rejected Palace’s £25million bid last week, however Palace are expected to offer £27million a second time around. Pardew’s frivolous spending could reach an all-time high if he continues to pursue Benteke.
Sofiane Boufal
Boufal was named the best African player in Ligue 1 as he starred for French club Lille.
The 22-year-old can play in the middle or out wide, drawing comparisons to Eden Hazard.
Palace was one of the worst squads at retaining possession, and their inability to score goals led to their disappointing season. Boufal helps in both areas.
The asking price for him is estimated around £25million. If Pardew wishes to continue his aggressive spending this summer, he should look Boufal’s way.
Robin Van Persie
Van Persie’s £24million transfer to Manchester United was one of the most lucrative moves of 2012.
Now, he is speculated to potentially join Crystal Palace, despite their relegation from the Premier League.
Last year, he joined Turkish squad Fenerbahçe for a fee of £3.84million. The Dutch forward netted 16 goals in 31 appearances for Fenerbahçe this season.
He isn’t the indomitable force we all saw years ago, but he would clearly serve Palace well on the frontline.
The club needs a consistent goal-scorer alongside the divisive Emmanuel Adebayor.
Hal Robson-Kanu
Robson-Kanu’s contract with Reading expired last season. The Welsh striker entered the EUROs with no clear plan for his club future.
His fortunes may have turned with one brilliant goal that kept Wales’ remarkable EURO alive.
The 27-year-old striker has indicated he would like to play in the Premier League at some point. Pardew is determined to return to the level.
The south Londoners desperately need a goal scorer, and Robson-Kanu has shown the ability to do that on a huge spectacle.
Gylfi Sigurdsson
One of the stars for Iceland throughout their run to the EURO quarterfinals, Sigurdsson has the type of skill set Palace need.
The south London squad struggled to maintain possession this season, something Sigurdsson can change. The Icelandic midfielder can score goals from outside the box, find gaps in the defence and play box-to-box.
He was Swansea’s player of the year, so it will take a lucrative offer to lure him away from the Premier League club.
