Crystal Palace close in on Senegal international free agent in £2.5m-a-year deal

Crystal Palace are emerging as firm favourites to sign a versatile Senegal international on a free transfer, with the Premier League club prepared to meet salary demands of around €2.5m (£2.1m) per year.

The 27-year-old, currently out of contract, has become one of the most attractive options on the market thanks to his status as a free agent. With no transfer fee required, interested clubs are instead focusing their financial firepower on a significant signing-on bonus and a competitive wage package.

Palace, who are keen to strengthen on the right flank, are understood to be leading the race and are willing to match the player’s financial expectations. The London club see the deal as a strategic opportunity to add quality without paying a fee, while the player is thought to be attracted by the chance to play in what is widely regarded as the most competitive league in the world.

Premier League pull gives Palace the edge

The appeal of the Premier League, combined with Crystal Palace’s ambition and project, is said to place the south London side in a strong position. The Senegal international is capable of operating anywhere down the right side, both as a winger and in a more withdrawn wing-back role, offering tactical flexibility to any manager.

Palace are reported to be ready to invest heavily in the signing-on bonus and salary structure to secure the deal, using the savings made from the absence of a transfer fee. For a club outside the traditional “big six” in England, such free-agent opportunities are often seen as crucial to closing the gap with wealthier rivals.

The prospective move is being viewed internally as a key part of their summer business as they look to solidify their squad and push further up the Premier League table.

Leverkusen monitoring but face financial gap

While Crystal Palace are understood to be in pole position, they are not alone in their pursuit. Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are closely monitoring the situation and remain interested in bringing the Senegalese player to Germany.

Leverkusen are believed to be particularly impressed by his ability to switch between roles as a traditional winger and an attacking wing-back, a profile that fits well with their dynamic, attack-minded style of play. Such positional versatility is highly prized at the top level, especially by clubs competing on multiple fronts.

However, despite the sporting appeal and the opportunity to join one of Europe’s most exciting sides, the financial strength of the Premier League gives Palace a clear advantage.

Palace near ‘strategic’ completion of deal

Sources suggest that, although Leverkusen have not withdrawn from the race, the economic gap between the Bundesliga and the Premier League is proving decisive. Palace’s capacity to offer a higher salary and a lucrative signing-on package appears to be tipping the negotiations in their favour.

The deal is now described as being close to completion, with Crystal Palace moving towards finalising what is seen as a “strategic” signing for the club. If confirmed, the move would give the Eagles a prime-age international with top-level experience, at a cost structure shaped more by wages and bonuses than by transfer fees.

No formal announcement has yet been made, but all indications point to the Premier League side being on the verge of securing one of the more sought-after free agents in the European market this summer.