Whatever you may think of the transfer window process, it is hard to ignore even if you wanted to with all the media attention in lead up to deadline day.
Since the 2023/24 season ended on a high, there have been a number of personnel changes which started with saying our goodbyes to the likes of James Tomkins and Jairo Riedewald who have been at the club for a number of seasons.
There have been a number of players that have followed them out of the club, so let us start there as it has been a very busy summer of incomings and outgoings at the club.
OUTGOINGS
MICHAEL OLISE – BAYERN MUNICH (£53M PLUS ADD ONS)
There was always going to be a big transfer out of the club and it was more who it would be. Olise will be a superstar and the move to Bayern is huge for him. he is arguably one of best players to have pulled on a Palace shirt, so technically gifted. He is already starring for the German giants and we cannot say anything other than wishing him all the very best and we look forward to seeing him doing his stuff on the European scene. It is just a shame that niggling injuries prevented us from seeing more of him in his time in South London.
JOACHIM ANDERSEN – FULHAM (£29.5M PLUS ADD ONS)
This was the surprise loss and if it was a choice between the Danish international and Marc Guehi then most would have opted to agree with this deal. It sounds very much like a big pay rise for Joa and you cannot begrudge him for going or for Palace not matching the offer. It remains to be seen whether we live to regret this one but a player going on 29 and replacing him with younger may well be a master stroke.
SAM JOHNSTONE – WOLVES (£11.9M PLUS ADD ONS)
What is it with goalkeepers? Not in the same way as Vicente Guaita, but Johnstone handed in a transfer request at the start of the final week of the transfer window. He had made it clear on social media that he was not happy to have been given the number 32 shirt for this new campaign, and suspect it was a slippery slope from there. Many believe that he is a better keeper than Henderson, but selling on a free transfer for such a fee is good business.
JORDAN AYEW – LEICESTER CITY (£5.9M PLUS ADD ONS)
Jordan was a signing of around £2m for the Eagles when he joined the club and has arguably been one of the best deals ever to be down by Palace. A player that has had his critics but you cannot deny his effort and contribution. It is sad to see him go but we wish him well as he just would not have got the game time had he stayed.
SCOTT BANKS – ST PAULI (£400K)
Scott impressed in Bundesliga 2 last season when on loan until a knee ligament injury curtailed his season. He has returned to the German side, this time on a permanent deal, after they were promoted back to the Bundesliga.
LOANS
The most high profile loan deal was Odsonne Edouard who left on deadline day to Leicester City for the season. On the same day, Naouirou Ahamada headed out to Stade Rennes in Ligue 1 on loan for the season. There is no option to buy in the deal for Edouard but there is for Ahamada, and it looks like the days are numbered at Palace for both players unfortunately.
Both those loan deals followed those completed earlier in the window which saw Jesurun Rak-Sakyi head of to the Championship with Sheffield United, Malcolm Ebiowei also to the Championship with Oxford United, Owen Goodman to League 1 side AFC Wimbledon, Joe Whitworth to League 1 side Exeter City and David Ozoh to Championship Derby County.
INCOMINGS
EDDIE NKETIAH – ARSENAL (£29.7M PLUS ADD ONS)
This is the one, a big signing for Palace and for a fee that has not been spent by the club since Christian Benteke was brought to the club. Once again, a player that the club has been keen on for a while and they finally bring the striker to South London. While he may not be a player that quite fits into one of the big sides in the Premier League, we are excited to see what he can bring to the Eagles.
MAXENCE LACROIX – VFL WOLFSBURG (£18M PLUS ADD ONS)
This was not a surprise when it was announced as Palace have been linked with the quick defender all summer. A player that Glasner has worked with before in his time at Wolfsburg so he should fit into the system very well and know exactly what is expected of him.
ISMAILA SARR – MARSEILLE (£15M PLUS ADD ONS)
This is another player that Palace have been constantly linked with and they finally get their man who is seen as the replacement for Olise. Very big shoes to fill but give him time and we will see how the former Watford attacking player gets on particularly under Glasner.
CHADI RIAD – REAL BETIS (£15M PLUS ADD ONS)
The Moroccan defender spent time at Barcelona before moving to Real Betis which is where he impressed in La Liga. A full international at just 20 years of age and is an exciting young player.
DAICHI KAMADA – LAZIO (FREE)
Daichi featured for Frankfurt under Glasner so they both know each other very well and while he will need time to settle in South London, he is a class act and will hopefully show exactly what he is capable of as the season goes on.
LOUIE MOULDEN – WOLVES (FREE)
Louie is a highly rated goalkeeper who spent much of his youth career at Liverpool. He joins the academy ranks with Whitworth and Goodman out on loan this season.
TREVOR CHALOBAH – CHELSEA (LOAN)
A late late deal on deadline day but a very welcome one. It was not reported as done until Saturday morning but it says a lot that Chelsea fans are disappointed he was allowed to leave even on a loan deal. That should be Palace’s gain and it will be interesting to see where he fits into Oliver Glasner’s plans.
MATT TURNER – NOTTINGHAM FOREST (LOAN)
With the late departure of Sam Johnstone, a quick fix was needed as a back up keeper and the USA international uses up one of two loan spots this season. He has been much maligned at both Arsenal and Forest but hopefully a fresh start will help. As we have found, not many goalkeepers are prepared to be a number two, so this deal just fits for now.
While it can be said that this summer transfer window has not covered all needs, especially at wing back, there is no doubt that the club have been working very hard to do the deals that Oliver Glasner wanted to give him the tools to work with over the course of the season. When you consider the additions in January, the transfer dealings by the club in 2024 will hopefully go down as some of the best we have seen.
