Crystal Palace have entered the transfer race.placeholder image
Crystal Palace have entered the transfer race. | AFP via Getty Images
QPR had been linked with a move for the promising Chelsea teenager but are set to face competition from Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace have held talks over a potential transfer move for Chelsea under-21 goalkeeper Luke Campbell, in what could be a potential hijack to QPR interest in the shot-stopper.
The Eagles are preparing for a season of Europa League football next term and are expected to bolster Oliver Glasner’s squad with senior players. However, Crystal Palace continue to honour their strategy of investing in young talents and nurturing them at Selhurst Park.
Campbell could be the next to arrive in south London. The 19-year-old is expected to leave Stamford Bridge on the expiration of his contract this summer and is not short of potential suitors. Those interested outfits are thought to be largely from the Championship but fresh top flight links have emerged.
Crystal Palace consider move for Chelsea youngster
QPR are named as one of those clubs by reporter Dan Marsh. The R’s have seen Nathan Shepperd as a free agent, opening a space for an incoming shot-stopper. It’s unlikely that Campbell, or another teenage signing, would rival current number one Paul Nardi - whose position could be strengthened by the imminent arrival of French compatriot Julien Stephan at Loftus Road.
Any Crystal Palace move for Campbell would also not be a cause for concern for number one Dean Henderson. Taking to social media platform X, Marsh wrote: “Crystal Palace have held talks with Chelsea U21 goalkeeper Luke Campbell over a move. 19yo will be a free agent at the end of the month + is leaving #CFC. Championship clubs have also been in touch over the young stopper including #QPR.”
Campbell spent his first spell away from Chelsea last time out, working on his game at Isthmian Premier Division side Hendon. The goalkeeper kept nine clean sheets in 32 league outings during the first half of the 2024/25 campaign before being recalled in January. He went on to earn minutes in the Chelsea under-21 set-up in the Premier League 2 and the Premier League Cup. The Blues youngster previously lifted the title with the under-18 side at Chelsea in 2024.
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Benitez is out of contract with the Dutch club this summer and will be available as a free agent. Benitez has 19 Champions League appearances and 17 Europa League appearances to his name.
QPR are not short of promising goalkeepers themselves. Joe Walsh has had to settle for a place on the bench for much of last season but the 23-year-old is highly thought of in west London. He played the full 90 minutes against Sunderland on the last day of the Championship season, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against the now Premier League outfit.
In other news, Crystal Palace handed mammoth asking price amid transfer 'agreement' claim.
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