Veteran central defender Gary Cahill could be close to making a move to Crystal Palace after being released by Chelsea at the end of last season.
Despite Chelsea’s transfer embargo, the club let Gary Cahill leave the club on a free transfer after th veteran’s contract with the Blues expired. With the defender in the market looking for a new club, there have been enquiries coming from few clubs, and he might be close to joining one. According to The Mail, Crystal Palace could be the club closing in on signing Cahill before Thursday’s deadline.
Cahill enjoyed a successful career to date at Chelsea. He won the Premier League twice and also won the Champions League on one occasion during his stay at Stamford Bridge. After running down his contract and seeing his playing time diminished last season under then boss Maurizio Sarri, the veteran was long expected to leave as a free agent.
There were significant rumours about Cahill’s next destination as even Arsenal were mooted as a possible destination. However, those links have gone sore, and the defender might be in line to join other Premier League sides instead. Burnley and Crystal Palace are credited with an interest, although its Palace who are thought to be close to signing him before deadline day.
Palace have had a quiet transfer window to date. They are hoping to add few key players before the window ends on Thursday, with Cahill mooted to be one of those additions. Palace wants to shore up their backline as Roy Hodgson has identified Cahill’s experience as one of the key factors.
However, Cahill reportedly wishes Palace pay him in the region of £75,000-a-week in wages if he is to sign for them. Because the London club will not pay anything in transfer fees, those wages look affordable for Palace. Moreover, the club have the funds to make it happen after their sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United earlier in the window.
Burnley were also apparently interested in securing Cahill’s signature. Sean Dyche had concerns over James Tarkowski and Ben Gibson’s future at the club as both players were linked with a move away. Tarkowski’s future is now understood to be at Turf Moor, and Gibson also expected to stay. Hence, the Clarets have ended their interest in the former Chelsea star, leaving Palace clear ground to make a move.
Palace reportedly are readying a two-year contract for Cahill, which could be his last stint in the Premier League. Apart from Cahill, Hodgson is expecting his club to bring in a few more faces before the transfer deadline. Talks for Everton’s James McCarthy and Olympiakos right-back Omar Elabddellaoui are reportedly ongoing. Real Betis’ Victor Camarasa is also expected to join on loan.
As for Cahill, it could be his last chance to further his career in the Premier League, and this potential deal with Palace would represent something big for the 33-year-old. Palace will be in a good place with Cahill at the back. Hodgson will be hoping his vast experience will see them survive and stay put in the top tier for next season.
