Crystal Palace see €20m bid for Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima rejected

Augsburg have turned down an opening €20m offer from Crystal Palace for centre-back Chrislain Matsima, with the Bundesliga club insisting the proposal does not meet their valuation.

The German side are described as unwilling to sell on the cheap and have rejected the first approach from the Premier League club, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Palace, however, are not walking away from the deal. The London club remain intent on signing Matsima and are already working on an improved bid in an effort to persuade Augsburg to sanction a move in the current transfer window.

Player agreement in place

While the clubs are still some distance apart, Matsima himself has already reached a full agreement with Crystal Palace over personal terms.

The 24-year-old is keen to make the step to the Premier League and is ready to take on what is seen as a significant new challenge in his career.

At Selhurst Park he is being lined up to succeed Maxence Lacroix, who is expected to leave for Chelsea. Matsima is viewed as the long-term replacement in the heart of Palace’s defence once Lacroix’s move to Stamford Bridge is completed.

Long contract and firm valuation

Matsima is under contract with Augsburg until 30 June 2030, a deal which puts the club in a strong negotiating position as talks continue.

The defender, who is of Congolese origin, is currently valued at €22m by Transfermarkt, slightly above Palace’s opening proposal.

That benchmark, combined with the length of his contract, is contributing to Augsburg’s stance that the initial €20m bid was insufficient.

Talks set to intensify

Negotiations between the clubs are expected to remain active, with the coming hours described as potentially decisive for the outcome of the transfer.

Augsburg are braced for a higher second offer from Crystal Palace as the Eagles attempt to reach an agreement before the end of the summer window.

For now, though, Augsburg are holding firm, while Matsima waits to see whether the two clubs can find common ground to allow him to complete his desired move to England.