Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace have reportedly received a massive boost in their pursuit of Napoli midfielder Jens Cajuste.
Jens Cajuste has turned down an opportunity to join Turkish giants Besiktas. According to a report from Il Mattino, the Napoli midfielder is keen on securing a move to the Premier League, which is a massive boost for Crystal Palace, who are pushing hard for his signature.
Cajuste joined the Serie A club in the summer of 2023 from Stade Reims. While he was involved in a total of 35 matches in his debut campaign with the Partenopei, he racked up just over 1,400 minutes of first-team action.
Antonio Conte wasn’t counting on him for the 2024/25 season; as a result, they ended up sending him out on loan to Ipswich Town. While he failed to help them stay up, the 25-year-old did put in some impressive performances in the English top flight.
While Cajuste is back at his parent club, and while he still has three years left on his deal, the Swedish midfielder does not have a future at the Serie A club. Napoli are open to sanctioning his departure, and they had already agreed a deal with Besiktas.
Crystal Palace have an advantage in their pursuit
The Turkish giants did try to convince the 25-year-old throughout last week, but they have not succeeded. He has once again turned down the opportunity to move to Turkiye. Cajuste has his eyes set on a return to the Premier League.
While multiple clubs are interested in his services, Crystal Palace are quite serious about their pursuit of the Napoli star. The Eagles seek more quality as well as depth in the centre of the park. Amidst uncertainty around Adam Wharton’s long-term future, they are looking for a versatile midfielder, and Cajuste certainly fits the bill.
Oliver Glasner’s team were quite impressed with his performances last season and feel he could prove to be a valuable addition to their squad. With the player keen on returning to England, the Eagles certainly have a massive boost in their pursuit. While Napoli are ready to sell, there is no clarity over the price tag of the Swedish midfielder. For now, the Italian giants are waiting for an official offer from the English club.
