Crystal Palace will reportedly compete with Nottingham Forest for 26-year-old Union Saint-Gilloise defender Koki Machida.
According to reputed Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Koki Machida is the subject of interest from Crystal Palace. The Eagles are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window. However, they will face stiff competition from fellow Premier League club Nottingham Forest for the 26-year-old Union Saint-Gilloise defender.
Who is Koki Machida?
Koki Machida has risen in prominence since arriving in Europe over two years ago. The Japanese international spent his formative years in his homeland before breaking into the first-team squad at Kashima Antlers. However, his stock has soared during his stint with Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Belgian club initially signed him on an 18-month loan deal in July 2022 before completing a permanent move in July 2023. The 26-year-old has turned out 60 times thus far for Union SG, chipping in with one goal and one assist. Meanwhile, Machida’s progress at the Belgian outfit in the last two years has not gone unnoticed.
Several well-known clubs have set their sights on the Asian defender, with Bundesliga and Serie A outfits interested in him. The Union Saint-Gilloise centre-back is also a target for Premier League bigwigs, while he has now emerged on the radar of Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace interested
Crystal Palace’s interest in Koki Machida is understandable. The Eagles are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of Marc Guehi. The English international is a target of the who’s who of English football, with a summer move on the cards.
So, it behoves Crystal Palace to scour the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window. Several candidates, including Danilho Doekhi, have thus emerged on their radar. The Eagles have now set their sights on Machida. But Crystal Palace might not be alone in the race to sign the 26-year-old Asian defender.
Sacha Tavolieri has also suggested Nottingham Forest as one of Machida’s suitors. So, with the Japanese international garnering suitors with his exploits for Union Saint-Gilloise, a summer move to the Premier League might be on the cards.
