Five Year Plan

We’ve only just finished the season but Palace fans already have some transfer excitement to look forward to - here at FYP we decided to filter through the news and pick out the best bits of potential moves -- whether they’re coming in or going out...

IN

Confirmed: Joel Ward has signed from Portsmouth on a four-year deal for £400,000.

Probably the least surprising snippet of news is that former loanee Aleksandar Tunchev (right) is in discussions with the club regarding a return to Palace. The 30-year-old Bulgarian centre-back spent the first few months of the season with the club, impressing management and fans alike with his solid displays. The defender was recently released on a free-transfer by Leicester City.

Another player whom Palace are rumoured to be interested in is recently-released left-back Joe Mattock. The defender is also being linked with Brighton & Hove Albion. Given Palace’s depth in the left-back position (Parr, Moxey, Parsons) it seems the least likely move to happen.

With West Ham’s promotion to the Premier League, the likelihood of Sam Allardyce putting 23-year-old Sam Baldock to use (when he could sign more ageing carthorses) dwindles, and Palace are looking to pounce. Dougie Freedman was interested in the former MK Dons striker prior to him joining the Hammers.

Finally, they may not be transfers in but the news that Palace are agreeing deals for our many youngsters is worth celebrating as if they were big-money signings. The club have agreed new longer-term contracts with Stuart O’Keefe, Kyle Da Silva and Johnny Williams (along with the deal already signed by Wilfried Zaha) -- all great news as far as we’re concerned.

OUT

There’s not always good news when it comes to departures, and perhaps the saddest of all is that of Lee Hills, whose contract was not renewed. Having suffered numerous injuries in recent years, Hills was deemed surplus to requirements as Parr, Moxey and Parsons have all risen above him in the pecking order. Hills spent the last few months on loan at Southend United, impressing as they bid for promotion through the play-offs.

Joining Hills are Calvin Andrew (right; a Hillsbrough hero), Jake Caprice, Nathaniel Pinney and Charlie Holness, who have also been told they are no longer needed at Palace.

One player who has been given the green light to leave is Antonio Pedroza. The British-born Mexican striker spent much of last season struggling to make an impact at the club and is reportedly homesick. While Freedman would like him to be more involved he wouldn’t prevent the player from returning home should his homesickness become too great an issue.

Finally, Freedman is also looking to move Alex Marrow out on loan. The midfielder had been sent to Preston North End but, upon the player being forced to do rigorous training by manager Graham Westley (against the club’s wishes) he returned to Palace after a matter of weeks. Palace are hoping that Marrow will profit from a season playing regular football - an option that they cannot currently offer him due to the depth the club has in midfield.