Better deal than Uche: PL "animal" in medical ahead of Crystal Palace move
da dobrowin： Crystal Palace are set for an extremely busy end to what can only be described as a frantic transfer window at Selhurst Park.
da casino： While the incoming signings to date haven’t blown anyone away, it’s more been focused on the high-profile exits being regularly spoken about, with Eberechi Eze now officially an Arsenal player.
With Marc Guehi’s future also precariously up in the air today as the clock ticks down to 7pm, it is sure to be a rollercoaster day for those with an Eagles connection.
However, there also could be a flurry of late incoming signings to counteract activity out the door.
Palace strike up late move for £17m defender
Already, the drama of deadline day has thrown up Getafe star Christantus Uche moving to East London – as a verbal agreement has now been struck between the Spanish side and Oliver Glasner’s men – with another star set to join him in his new Premier League postcode.
Indeed, as was exclusively broken by journalist Charlie Parker-Turner, via X, Glasner and Co. have reached another agreement to snap up Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Igor Julio on a loan deal. Fabrizio Romano has even revealed that the deal is at the late medical stage, already.
This could well be a temporary measure in case Guehi exits the building.
But, regardless of whether the Liverpool-linked defender leaves or not, adding in the £14.5m brute at the final hour could be seen as a better last-minute buy than securing the services of Uche.
Why Julio could be a better signing than Uche
After all, Palace aren’t exactly overflowing with centre-back options currently, even with Guehi still in their grip.
There are realistically only three centre-back figures available for selection at the moment, with Chris Richards and Marcel Larcoix the only other notable first-team presences in the heart of defence, as the duo – alongside Guehi – shut out Aston Villa valiantly last time out in a resounding 3-0 away day win.
Julio’s PL record for Brighton
Stat
Julio
Games played
37
Games started
27
Minutes played
2596
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Passes completed
2130 (93%)
Duels won
95
Stats by the Premier League
Whilst he hasn’t always been a guaranteed starter for the Seagulls, the Brazilian has stood out in flashes on the South Coast, with a mightily impressive 93% pass accuracy managed across his 27 Premier League starts to date, perhaps making him a worthwhile candidate to fill the expected Guehi void to come.
Moreover, Julio has even been dubbed an “animal” for his prowess in the air by former Brighton coach Inigo Calderon, with his relentless energy to retrieve the ball – as seen in his high 4.4 ball recovery average during his debut top-flight season – also another positive characteristic of the reserve defender’s game if Glasner needs to utilise the South American shortly.
Of course, attacking signings often catch the eye more, with Uche’s impressive record of five goals and eight assists for Getafe a tantalising prospect.
But, the rising Nigerian star has never set foot on English soil before, with the Eagles already well-stocked in the attacking department, arguably, with Jean Philippe-Mateta leading the line with his usual venom, on top of Ismaila Sarr bagging a second Premier League strike of the season already at Villa.
Therefore, while Uche will likely strike up a healthy partnership with Mateta and make Palace even more of an attractive watch, sealing Julio’s services feels like a more shrewd, late capture on loan, particularly if the Eagles’ window ends with Guehi’s heartbreaking departure being confirmed.