Chadi Riad, who has spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Real Betis from Barcelona, is reportedly on the verge of joining Crystal Palace.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chadi Riad has been the subject of interest from Crystal Palace in recent weeks. The Moroccan international has already agreed to join the South London club in the summer transfer window. The Eagles will cough up a base fee of €12 million to secure the services of the Barcelona loanee.
Who is Chadi Riad?
Chadi Riad has found a stable footing in his career since joining Real Betis on loan from Barcelona last summer. A native of Palma de Mallorca, he spent his formative years with four clubs, graduating from Barcelona’s fabled La Masia division.
The 20-year-old joined Barcelona from RCD Mallorca in July 2019, making considerable progress in the last half a decade. However, Riad has had to wait until the 2023/24 season to rise in prominence on the first-team level. The youngster has turned out 30 times for Real Betis this term, amassing nearly 2,500 minutes of game time.
It is unclear if the Moroccan international will complete a permanent move to Real Betis in the summer transfer window. However, he will not play another game for the Andalusian outfit, with Crystal Palace reportedly closing in on securing his services in a deal worth €12 million.
London calling
Crystal Palace’s interest in Chadi Riad 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 for several Premier League bigwigs, with a summer move possible.
Meanwhile, apart from Joachim Anderson, the Eagles do not have another reliable centre-back. So, it behoves Crystal Palace to sign a central defender in the summer transfer window, with several candidates, including Maxence Lacroix, emerging as targets. However, Riad is also an option worth considering.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the 20-year-old Moroccan international has already agreed to join Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window. The South London club will pay a base fee of €12 million, with another €2 million being add-ons. So, a summer move is on the cards for the young centre-back.
