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FYP Crystal Palace Winter Transfer Tracker - van de Beek, Mateta & More

Written by Alex Pewter
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It's the business end of the transfer window, and aside from Newcastle acquiring players in their thirties and moves involving Everton and full-backs, it is all quiet on the Premier League front.

Will that change as the club desperation grows and teams seek to offload players? We shall see.

Here is the latest update to our transfer tracker:

 

FIRST XI RUMOURS

 

Donny van de Beek (CM/24)

Manchester United -> Crystal Palace (Loan)

Here we go!.. well, almost.

 

Fabrizio Romano's latest Manchester United update has had ramifications in South London, as Crystal Palace have been linked with a loan move for the wantaway midfielder.

United is supposedly unwilling to sell or add any sell-clause in a loan deal without a permanent manager in place, allowing the next man in charge to decide on Van de Beek's long-term future.

Van de Beek was a £35m signing from Ajax only 16 months ago, but without any meaningful playing time for United, he has suffered a tarnished reputation, given his previous standing as a Dutch prospect.

With a point to prove at Premier League level, van de Beek would offer Palace another central midfield option opposite Conor Gallagher, capable of getting into the box as a goal threat, as he did successfully for Ajax.

 

Jean-Philippe Mateta (ST/24)

Mainz -> Crystal Palace (Rumour)

What a difference a couple of weeks and starts makes. Forget moving to Saint-Étienne, a permanent move to Selhurst Park now seems more likely.

The rumoured transfer clause in Mateta's loan deal is unlikely to be activated, giving Palace scope to negotiate a separate agreement with Mainz in the January window, given the emergence of Jonathan Burkardt as their new starting centre-forward.

Goals against Norwich and Millwall, followed by the assist against Liverpool, have painted him in a new light, with the trio of Édouard, Mateta, and Olise looking promising in attack.

 

The Chopping Block

The proposed arrival of Donny van de Beek, the recent use of Will Hughes as a "number six", and the imminent return of Cheikhou Kouyaté leaves Palace with a potential surplus at defensive midfield as the midfield balance continues to evolve.

Luka Milivojević and Jaïro Riedewald become the logical players to move on. With an expensive contract running until the end of the 2022/23 season, and despite Riedewald only having signed a new deal last season, Kouyaté is the clear favourite for Patrick Vieira at the base of midfield.

Valencia rumour aside for Milivojević, a suitor will need to be found. As one of the highest goalscorers for Crystal Palace in top-flight football, from the penalty spot, he will go down as an important figure in the club's history - but one that may not have a fixed role in this team, armband or not

 

Bamba Dieng (ST/21)

Marseille -> Crystal Palace (Rumour)

A last-minute addition to the tracker, per RMC Sport in France, Crystal Palace have been linked to Bamba Dieng. The young Senegalese forward currently playing for Marseille in Ligue 1 was a player featured in Mihai Patrascu's striker search article at the start of the month. 

For more information on Dieng and some other striker prospects, click here.

 

U23 ROUND-UP

 

Killian Phillips (CM/19)

Drogheda United -> Crystal Palace (Undisc.)

 

Following a trial period at the club, Killian Phillips became Crystal Palace's latest Irish import, following Jake O'Brien's move last season. Debuting in the Irish Premier Division in the 2021 season, he went on to play thirty matches, primarily as a winger.

A self-described box-to-box midfielder, Phillips will be looking to get minutes in Paddy McCarthy's PL2 side to close out the season.

 

Jake O'Brien (CB/20)

Crystal Palace -> Swindon Town (Loan)

Crystal Palace's U23 captain has joined promotion-chasing Swindon in League Two for the remainder of the season, playing under former Palace Academy turned First Team coach Ben Garner. 

O'Brien has immediately started in the league for Swindon, getting three full league games under his belt as a right centre-back in a back-five. 

 

Jay Rich-Baghuelou (CB/22)

Crystal Palace -> Accrington Stanley (Undisc.)

 

The JRB/JOB back-pairing for Paddy McCarthy's U23 side is no more. Two years after joining the club from Welling United, Jay Rich-Baghuelou departs the club for League One's Accrington Stanley. 

A recognisable figure at the back for the team promoted into the top division of U23 football, getting a move for League football was a logical move for all parties. 

Rich-Baghuelou has already made two appearances in the league, making his full debut in a loss against Ipswich Town.

 

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (RW/19)

Crystal Palace -> EFL Loan (Rumour)

Jes Rak-Sakyi's rapid rise since joining Chelsea has seen him progress from a U18 prospect into a U23 mainstay this season. His eleven goals against the best teams at that age group suggest he has already outgrown that level and needs a fresh challenge.

AFCON call-ups lead to one bench appearance this month, but Ghana's early exit has brought Jordan Ayew back into the squad ahead of schedule. With League One loan interest, it would give Rak-Sakyi a path to develop his game in men's football.

 

Rob Street (ST/21)

Crystal Palace -> EFL Loan (Rumour)

Rob Street has led the U23 front line in their two seasons of Category 1 football, helping the team to promotion last season and establishing the team in the top flight.

After an unsuccessful loan move to Torquay United last in the National Conference where the team didn't afford him many chances, League Two is his rumoured destination this window.

His work rate has always been that of a model professional, but exposure to league teams in the EFL Trophy showed he could physically cope at that level, as well as snatching a goal against AFC Wimbledon.

 

Any Other Business

  • Per Matt Woosnam of the Athletic (and an agent who spoke too loudly on a train), U23 reserve goalkeeper Ollie Webber is set to move to Portsmouth on a permanent move.
  • James Taylor, a rotational central midfielder last season, has moved on loan to National League South with Tonbridge Angels to see out the remainder of his contract. 
  • Jack Roles, brought in as an experienced central midfielder from Tottenham, has left the club. The rise of Jack Wells-Morrison effectively kept him out of the starting lineup.