Malcolm Ebiowei’s news is all over the internet like the best online casino. His decision not to sign with Manchester United has exacerbated the club’s summer difficulties. Despite United’s interest and recent conversations with Ebiowei’s agent, it Crystal Palace have signed him this summer.
United have been monitoring the 18-year-old forward since he debuted with the first team last season under club legend Wayne Rooney. He appears to have chosen a transfer that will immediately increase his opportunities to play in the Premier League.
Ebiowei underwent his medical at Palace this week, and the deal is now done and put pen to paper on a five-year contract that will keep him at Selhurst Park until 2027.
Ebiowei’s Plan
Ebiowei was reportedly on the short list of attackers United wanted to sign this summer to provide Erik ten Hag with more options for his first season as a manager.
It would be an understatement to say that the Dutchman has few options, given that 2022-23 will be a busy year with the Europa League and the World Cup in Qatar occurring in the middle of the season.
Ten Hag can choose between Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Anthony Elanga. Alejandro Garnacho is close to making the first team after a fantastic 21-22 season, but he is not yet there.
Edinson Cavani will become a free agent in July, Mason Greenwood remains suspended, Anthony Martial wants to leave, and Rashford’s poor performance last season has raised serious doubts about his future with the club.
Next season, when Cristiano Ronaldo turns 38, he will no longer be the only United player with more than ten goals.
Palace The New Home
Malcolm Ebiowei has joined Crystal Palace, which is more bad news for Manchester United regarding transfers.
Last season, the 18-year-old Derby County star made Wayne Rooney’s Championship squad. He appeared in 15 games across all competitions and scored once, performing admirably despite the Rams’ 21-point deduction being a significant factor in their relegation.
The teenager was dismissed from Arsenal’s youth team in 2019 and Rangers’ two years later, but he performed admirably for Derby as they battled to remain in the Premier League last season.
In February this year, Ebiowei played his first game for the Rams. He went on to play 15 times for Rooney’s team, scoring his first goal against Blackpool.
The winger had represented both the Netherlands (under 15s) and England (under 16s) when they were young, and he could still play for either nation in the future.
Palace have performed admirably in recruiting young players from the Championship. During the previous two summers, they acquired Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.
The Fight for Malcolm
Both Manchester United and Monaco desired him. Christian Eriksen, whose contract with Brentford has expired, has been linked to United alongside De Jong and Nunez.
Even though nothing has been confirmed, former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique mocked his former team’s rivals for failing to acquire Eriksen.
The club’s desired players continue to disregard the fact that the squad lacks a defensive midfielder. Eriksen’s transfer request has been denied due to this.
However, Palace beat the competition to sign a player who appeared 16 times for Wayne Rooney’s Rams in the Championship this season.
For many years, Palace has recruited young players from lower leagues. Ebere Eze moved from QPR to Chelsea in 2020 for approximately £17 million and performed well until he injured his Achilles.
Michael Olise, who arrived from Reading for £8 million last summer, excelled in the second half of the season.
Palace has already signed former West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and Spurs midfielder Harry Winks has been linked this summer, but the Spurs midfielder is favored to sign with Everton.
On the other hand, United have not yet signed their first player under Erik ten Hag.
Antony was close to signing a £40 million contract with Ajax, but the Dutch champions increased their demands. The Red Devils are still attempting to acquire Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
Ebiowei was viewed as a long-term investment, not as someone who could immediately contribute to the first team. In seven U18 Premier League games last season, he scored seven goals and assisted on one.
He was responsible for three goals in Derby’s last three Championship matches.
However, there have not been any summer signings, and negotiations for Ten Hag’s top target, Frenkie de Jong, have been ongoing for a considerable time.
This has enraged United supporters. And losing a young player to a lower-tier Premier League club would have made Sir Alex Ferguson laugh.
