Roy Hodgson not expecting new Crystal Palace signings before deadline – but ‘would be foolish’ to completely rule out
BY SAM SMITH
Roy Hodgson does not expect Crystal Palace to complete any late business before the Premier League transfer window closes tomorrow.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is the only signing the South Londoners have sealed this month. The striker joined from Mainz on an initial 18-month loan with a possible permanent deal to be made in the future.
Nathaniel Clyne’s six-month contract has also been extended until the end of the season. Leicester City winger Demarai Gray has been linked with Palace, but those rumours have since cooled with clubs from the German Bundesliga also interested.
Hodgson was asked if there would be any new signings arriving at Selhurst Park – with reference to previously busy deadline days.
The Palace boss said: “I don’t think so (that Palace will sign anyone before the transfer deadline). I would even contest the idea that we are even busy on the final day of the transfer window. I don’t think there have been too many [deadline day deals by Palace] either.
“We’ve been pretty content with the players who we have and we will work with them. All I can say, like everyone else, you keep your eyes and ears open. I’m certain that Doug Freedman and Steve Parish are on top of anything that might be going on.
“It would be foolish to say we will never do anything, but I do not think there is any particular panic to get somebody else through the door because we have a good squad.”
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