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Crystal Palace Set to Sign Highly-Rated Defender for £21m

· Fin Palfreyman · 2026-08-11 · nguồn gốc

According to reports, Crystal Palace are finalising a deal for highly rated wing-back Anan Khalaili from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, in a move that would cost the Eagles around £21 million. The Israeli international has reportedly completed his medical and is set to join Palace this week after featuring in the Champions League for Union Saint-Gilloise last season. Italian giants Inter Milan and Premier League opponents Nottingham Forest were both interested in the wing-back, but the Eagles have won the race to sign the 21-year-old. Forest are managed by former Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who spent 18 months in charge at Selhurst Park before leaving the club in May. Crystal Palace Set to Sign Wing-Back Anan Khalaili to Crystal Palace Palace will be delighted to have won the race for Khalaili, with the 21-year-old attracting significant interest from clubs across Europe. Khalaili made 52 appearances in all competitions last season, registering six goals and six assists while also winning the Belgian Cup with Union Saint-Gilloise. Read More: Crystal Palace Could Sell as Surprise Deal Emerges The wing-back featured eight times in the Champions League and racked up three goals in that spell, which included a double against Marseille. Khalaili had been meant to move to Inter Milan last month, but failed a medical which meant that he couldn’t join the Italian side. The Israeli international has earned 16 caps for his country since making his debut in 2023 and offers a versatile option for the Eagles as they prepare for their maiden Europa League campaign. What Will Khalaili Bring to Palace Khalaili has played as both a right wing-back and right winger during his career, making him a versatile option who is comfortable both going forward and defensively. According to Sky Sports, Khalaili will be brought in to provide competition for Daniel Munoz rather than replace the Colombian. Despite this, there is no guarantee that Munoz will stay in South London this summer, with several European clubs interested. Khalaili will bring European experience to Palace after his Champions League campaign and will not be short of game time with the Eagles competing in four competitions. His versatility would allow him to operate in different systems under new manager Pierre Sage and provide competition across the right hand side. The Israel international would also bring lots of energy and pace down the right flank, which fits into Sage’s system of attacking wing-backs. Sage has been active in this transfer window and has added both Oscar Mingueza and Takehiro Tomiyasu to his defensive ranks. In the attacking areas, Dwight McNeil has joined as part of a swap deal involving Brennan Johnson, while young American winger Zavier Gozo is also close to signing for Crystal Palace. Featured Image Credit: IMAGO / Colorsport