July 12 2019

Selhurst Park

With Wan-Bissaka completing his £50m move to Manchester United, Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace are eager to invest some of that money in replacing the young England right-back, writes Ben Blake.

Wan-Bissaka came through the ranks at Palace, so the club has made a large profit on the Under-21 international, and will now try and outsource a new right-back before the season starts in August.

Palace have been reportedly interested in Max Aarons, who has just won promotion to the Premier League with Norwich City. The 19-year-old right back made 41 appearances last season in the Championship, scoring twice and conjuring up six assists. Norwich have offered him a new deal but he has yet to put pen to paper.

In a very similar position to Wan Bissaka, Max Aarons has come through the academy, having been at the club since the age of 16. From the under-18s to the first team squad, the right-back has played 100 times for the Canaries, who will be to keep hold of their talented youngster.

Premier League betting suggests Norwich will struggle in their first season back in the top flight and are one of the favourites to be relegated straight back to the Championship.

Aarons could be tempted to move to the London side, knowing he is likely to get game time and play within a side destined for a better season compared to his current side, based on the odds at bet365.

According to speculation, Palace will start negotiations at around £10m, hoping to lure their target away from Carrow Road. But it is expected for this to be turned down, as Norwich aren't in need of cash.

Norwich's Sporting Director, Stuart Webber, has already spoken out saying there is no need for the club to sell anyone, and that the club is in a strong financial position.

This could be a potential blow for Palace, but it could come down to whether or nor Aarons wants to push for a move. Palace may have to act swiftly, as their London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, are also keen to sign the full-back.

And Spurs have already been lively in the transfer market, signing Jack Clarke from Leeds United for £8.5m. They have also smashed their club record, bringing in Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon for over £55m. So it suggests Spurs are willing to heavily invest in the squad, after failing to sign anyone for the past two transfer windows.

Elsewhere, it looks likely Arsenal will be set to continue their pursuit of Wilfried Zaha, despite their first bid of £40m being well below Crystal Palace's £100m valuation. There is likely to be plenty more ins and outs at Selhurst Park before the transfer window slams shut, but Aarons is at the top of that particular list at present.