Crystal Palace consider Juventus’s Joao Mario an ideal alternative to Bayern Munich’s Sacha Boey to reinforce their backline.
Crystal Palace are looking to add more quality to their backline in the upcoming winter transfer window. The Eagles want to bring in a new right-back, and they have already identified potential targets they will be going after.
According to a report from Tuttosport, Bayern Munich’s Sacha Boey is a priority target for the Premier League. But in case they fail to strike a deal for his services, the Eagles already have a plan B in place. They consider Juventus’s Joao Mario an ideal alternative.
While Boey is a part of Vincent Kompany’s plans, he doesn’t have a prominent role in the team. As a result, the London club are optimistic about securing his services. However, a potential transfer won’t be that straightforward because of the finances involved.
Crystal Palace’s Plan B to reinforce their defence
If they fail to land him, the Eagles will go all out to secure the services of Joao Mario. The Portuguese full-back, who made a name for himself at FC Porto, has failed to have the desired impact at Juventus since joining them in the last summer window in a deal worth €11.4 million.
He has been involved in 11 matches and has racked up less than 400 minutes of first-team action so far. Despite his ability to feature anywhere across the right flank, he hasn’t been able to establish himself as a key figure at the Turin-based club.
With Joao Mario struggling for game time at the Serie A club, the 25-year-old could be interested in making a switch in January. While Palace consider him to be a plan B, they have already made initial approaches to secure his services.
His contract at Juventus runs until the summer of 2030, but a transfer away from the club can’t be ruled out. If the Old Lady could somehow recoup what they had invested to sign him, they would most likely let him leave. With Daniel Munoz likely to sidelined for over a month, Mario could certainly be a smart investment from the Eagles’ point of view.