The good, the bad, and the plain weird: Crystal Palace’s transfer rumours

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Whether or not you would say 2014/2015 was a success for Crystal Palace or a let-down, there is little debate that Alan Pardew needs to make some solid investment in the squad if next season is to meet sky-high expectations in South London.

Despite Euro 2016 dominating the talk of the town, the rumour mills are still buzzing. Here is the rundown on the best, worst, and wildest transfer rumours circulating SE25.

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The Good

Saido Berahino

There’s no denying the potential Berahino has to turn a match on its head on any given day.

It’s even less so a secret that Berahino wants out of the Midlands, due to a complicated relationship with Tony Pulis.

Rumour has it the Eagles are in talks with West Bromwich Albion over the troubled striker.

There is reason for skepticism. Palace’s mercurial striker experiment with Emmanuel Adebayor did not bear the fruits that were expected.

However, Berhaino’s position is similar to Wilfried Zaha’s when Pardew took over last season.

Berahino, like Zaha after his spell at Manchester United, has struggled for play time due to personal issues with Pulis and has inevitably lost the confidence that propelled him in 2014/2015.

Pardew can galvanize Berahino in a similar manner to how he has with Zaha and get some goals from him.

Despite boasting attacking wing-backs and creative midfielders, Palace lacked an end product last season.

The club’s strikers were unpredictable and inconsistent; Connor Wickham and Dwight Gayle had limited purple patches.

Should Berahino hit form, Palace could be in for a great season.

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The Bad

Nick Pope

Palace are rumoured to be interested in Charlton Athletic’s Nick Pope

First off, Pope, 24 years old, plays for Charlton. What Palace fan really wants that?

Secondly, why? If Julian Speroni is not good enough to take Hennessey’s place in the starting XI, why will Pope be?

It is hard to imagine Nick Pope being anywhere but dead last on the pecking order.

Julian Speroni has a contract extension, Pardew has his heart set on Hennessey, and Alex McCarthy at least has premier League experience.

Pope will most likely not even gain bench-warmer status.

He will surely live a life astray on loan, much like Chris Kettings who signed from Blackpool, but has since spent time at Stevenage and Bromley Town.

The 24-year-old is also a bit hard to sell off as one for the future considering he is already, well, 24.

Even then, his stats are hardly justify an investment. Pope kept six clean sheets in 24 in League 1. Hennessey kept eight in 27 in the Premier League. Do the math.

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The Weird

Fernando Llorente

Weird and bad merge here. Undoubtedly a brilliant player in his time, the Spanish world cup winner is approaching the twilight of his career at 31 now.

He is said to be targeted by ‘Boro, Deportivo in La Liga, and Palace after it has become clear that he will be leaving Sevilla this summer.

Llorente would bring something no Palace player has, not even Cabaye: a trophy-winning mindset.

In the last two seasons Llorente has won the Champions League and then the Europa League, with Juventus and Sevilla.

However, ends don’t exactly meet with Fernando Llorente.

Despite an important role at Juventus in his time at the club, things died down at Sevilla this season.

In the most recent campaign, he only mustered 4 goals in 23 appearances.

As if just hearing “Fernando Llorente to Palace” did not raise an eyebrow, wait till you see the price tag.

The Spaniard could be a worthwhile risk, except for the fact he is rumoured to have a release clause worth £15.2 million. £15.2 million. For a 31-year-old, with four league goals.

A tamer Adebayor experiment possibly, but one that needs some thought still.

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