news-engine

← crystal_palace

"Ready for the step" - CEO pretty much confirms transfer to Crystal Palace

· Sean Lunt · 2026-08-13T11:36:51+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Union SG CEO Philippe Bormans may had inadvertently confirmed that Anan Khalaili’s move to Crystal Palace is done. Thursday’s print edition of Het Nieuwsblad reports comments from Bormans today after he spoke to the media following Union SG’s exit from the Champions League qualifiers. Crystal Palace deal done The newspaper explains that Bormans has promised journalists an interview before his departure. He eventually made good on that promise, despite the disappointment of the 3-2 loss to Bodø/Glimt. While the focus was firmly on the result, and what comes next, journalists were also keen to ask about transfers. At the top of the agenda, was Anan Khalaili. Reports have insisted that he is closing in on a move to Crystal Palace. Bormans, though, appeared to go one further. He inadvertently confirmed that the deal is now done, despite neither club having announced it. “Anan Khalaili has a huge future ahead of him. He has the physical attributes for the Premier League,” he said. “Anan is ready for that step. He joined us with high expectations and a lot of pressure – you mustn’t forget that he was also our record signing. “But Anan has really shown, including during that Champions League campaign, that he has the physical attributes to succeed in the Premier League as well.” Premier League ready All indications are, then, that Crystal Palace will be announcing the 21-year-old before too long. Bormans appears to think the deal is now done either way. Whether he can adapt and shine in the Premier League remains to be seen. It is certainly no easy task for a player to move from Belgium straight to the Premier League. The pressure will certainly be on from day one, with Maxence Lacroix already departing and Daniel Munoz potentially following. Bormans believes that he’s ready, and that the future is bright for a player he clearly thinks very highly of.