Looking to ensure that their wait for silverware is far less than the years before winning this season's FA Cup, Crystal Palace are now reportedly intensifying talks to sign an 18-year-old prospect who is already making waves.
Crystal Palace set to celebrate FA Cup in style
After upsetting the odds to defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Crystal Palace have confirmed that they will be enjoying an open-top bus parade through south London this Monday.
The Eagles released a message to the fans to reveal the celebrations that are planned, saying on the official club website: "It's the day you've long been waiting for: Palace's open-top bus parade will transport your FA Cup winning heroes, and the historic trophy itself, down the SE25 streets starting at the top of Whitehorse Lane from 12:45.
"The parade route will see the bus start at the top of Whitehorse Lane, turning into Park Road and then down Holmesdale Road; this is expected to last approximately 45 minutes. Be there to bring the noise, and celebrate with Oliver Glasner's outstanding Eagles as they show off our legendary prize."
Crystal Palace's Joel Ward and Marc Guehi celebrate with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
For many, they will deem Palace's victory a once-in-a-lifetime moment, but Steve Parish and the rest of those at Selhurst Park will be desperate to make sure that such celebrations become more than just a rarity. And Glasner will be a big part of that.
The job that the Austrian has completed in south London deserves immense praise, but he may just be getting started. Crystal Palace are now a Europa League club and have the chance to create more moments of history with Glasner at the helm.
With European football to offer too, Palace could beat Premier League rivals Fulham to the arrival of an impressive 18-year-old midfielder this summer.
Crystal Palace intensify talks to sign Bongeli
According to Africa Foot, as relayed by Sport Witness, Crystal Palace are now set to intensify talks to sign Faveurdi Bongeli from TP Mazembe this summer. The 18-year-old midfielder is reportedly already making waves and has attracted the interest of the Eagles alongside Fulham and German Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach.
With plenty of competition for his signature, it's no surprise that Palace have seemingly stepped up their efforts to win the race for Bongeli's signature. Though still a teenager, the Palace target has already been making his mark on senior football, starting three of Mazembe's five CAF Champions League games and winning once.
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The Eagles could swoop in ahead of rival clubs.
Despite that, it must be said that he still has a long way to go before he is capable of breaking into Glasner's Palace midfield. Whether those in south London will be willing to take a chance on an unproven young player remains to be seen, in what could be a frustrating blow for Bongeli.
A player with plenty of potential, even despite his lack of experience, it will certainly be interesting to see whether Palace decide to give rivals a free run at a young star. Bongeli, meanwhile, could have the most important decision of his career to make in the coming months.