Crystal Palace have reportedly been handed a major boost in their pursuit of RB Leipzig attacker Christoph Baumgartner.
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that Palace are in "advanced talks" with Baumgartner over a switch to Selhurst Park where he'd be playing under fellow Austrian Oliver Glasner.
The South Londoners have money to spend after selling Eberechi Eze to Arsenal for £67.5m. They have already signed Villarreal's Yeremy Pino as a replacement but are now eyeing the versatile Baumgartner.
Baumgartner Wants To Join Crystal Palace
RB Leipzig's Christoph Baumgartner
Bundesliga - RB Leipzig v Bayer Leverkusen - Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany - January 25, 2025 RB Leipzig's Christoph Baumgartner celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Annegret Hilse
Baumgartner is said to have "made clear" he wants to join Palace, who will be enjoying their first European campaign in the Europa Conference League this season. He could become Glasner's fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Pino, Borna Sosa and Walter Benitez.
The Eagles are willing to sign the 26-year-old on loan with an option to buy, although there is no word on the fees the FA Cup winners are prepared to pay. He has three years left on his contract with Leipzig but appears keen to link up with Glasner at Selhurst Park.
Baumgartner's preferred position is attacking midfield, but he can play out wide and in a forward role, which will give the South London outfit more options as they participate in four different competitions. He's been with Leipzig since the summer of 2023, when he arrived from Hoffenheim and has been described as an "absolute leader".
Palace aren't only looking at potential incomings in the very last days of the transfer window but also outgoings. The future of captain Marc Guehi remains a talking point amid links to Liverpool.
GIVEMESPORT sources indicate that the Reds are poisted to enter fresh discussions about possibly signing the English centre-back. This may lead to a busy end to the window for Steve Parish and Glasner who have already lost their star attacker Eze.
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