Crystal Palace reviving interest in their £4m January target would be a wise summer move

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Crystal Palace must sign Nathan Ferguson in the summer?

During the January window, the Evening Standard claimed Crystal Palace had agreed a £4million deal with West Brom for full-back Nathan Ferguson but a move to Selhurst Park collapsed after the South London club uncovered a potential issue that they felt required an operation.

Nathan Ferguson has enjoyed his breakthrough campaign at West Brom under Slaven Bilic. He has played a key role in the Championship run-in for Bilic’s side, scoring and assisting a goal each in 21 games. The 19-year-old underwent surgery last week and will not return to action until a few weeks.

Nathan Ferguson of West Bromwich Albion competes for the ball with Kasey Palmer of Bristol City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Bristol City at The Hawthorns on November 27, 2019 in West Bromwich, England. (Getty Images)
Nathan Ferguson of West Bromwich Albion competes for the ball with Kasey Palmer of Bristol City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Bristol City at The Hawthorns on November 27, 2019 in West Bromwich, England. (Getty Images)

However, the full-back is out of contract at the end of the season and he is yet to confirm whether his future lies at the Hawthorns or not. Earlier this week, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish told Palace TV that the club will try to sign Ferguson again in the summer. (h/t Sky Sports)

The Eagles signed only Cenk Tosun on loan from Everton last month. Given the issues Palace have faced this season, Roy Hodgson should have signed more players. They failed to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, nine months after the right-back joined Manchester United. That has left a huge void in Hodgson’s side this season.

Wan-Bissaka’s exit last summer meant Hodgson had just Joel Ward and Martin Kelly as options at right-back. Even though Ward has performed extremely well and made the right-back spot his own this season, the fact is he has endured injury problems this season and has entered his 30s. Having said that, Hodgson should strengthen his right-back area in the summer by bringing in Nathan Ferguson.

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson. (Getty Images)
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson. (Getty Images)

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Ferguson can operate at centre-back or full-back, meaning his versatility would be a real asset for Hodgson’s Palace. The full-back is only 19 and hence, signing a player as young as him would offer Crystal Palace a long-term solution at the back.

Verdict

The England Under-20 international is a talented young defender and would be a smart long-term investment for the Eagles.