Palace secures Pino from Villarreal as replacement for Eze

Crystal Palace Bolster Attacking Ranks with Yeremy Pino Signing

Crystal Palace have made a significant move in the transfer market, announcing the signing of Yeremy Pino from Villarreal in a deal worth up to £26m. The Spanish winger has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, becoming the Eagles' third summer signing following Walter Benitez and Borna Sosa.

Pino's arrival at Selhurst Park comes after a standout season with Villarreal, where he recorded 13 goal involvements (four goals, nine assists) in 35 appearances across all competitions, helping his team qualify for the Champions League. His creative prowess was evident as he created 43 chances for his team-mates, a total only bettered by Sergi Cardona and Alex Baena in Villarreal's squad.

However, Pino's signing could be a sign of things to come at Crystal Palace, as the club is reportedly seeking a replacement for Marc Guehi, should he leave the club. There has been speculation that Premier League champions Liverpool are planning a bid for England international Guehi.

In the meantime, Palace are exploring a deal to bring Manchester City's Manuel Akanji to the club. It was reported on Friday that Palace are pushing to sign Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse, another potential addition to the defence.

Oliver Glasner, the Palace coach, has expressed an urgent need to find suitable defenders. Despite not publicly naming a specific potential replacement for Guehi yet, he has mentioned that defensive midfielder Jefferson Lerma has been used as an emergency center back due to lack of options. However, no confirmed signing or name for Guehi's replacement has been reported so far.

Pino is aiming to fill the gap left by Eberechi Eze in Crystal Palace's final third. Eze, who was a key figure in the Eagles' attack last season, recently joined AFC Bournemouth on loan. With Pino's arrival, Crystal Palace's attacking ranks have been bolstered, providing a promising boost for the upcoming season.

The Eagles are expecting a busy 72 hours before the transfer deadline on September 1, with more moves potentially on the horizon. Stay tuned for updates as Crystal Palace continue to shape their squad for the 2022-23 season.