Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Everton are poised to battle it out for the signature of a Middlesbrough 'rising star', according to reports.
On the field, Palace head home from Bosnia with work still to do.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner reacts
Oliver Glasner's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Zrinjski Mostar in last night's Conference League play-off first leg, a result that leaves their European ambitions hanging in the balance heading into the second leg at Selhurst Park next Thursday.
It was not the kind of performance or result Palace would have hoped for.
They had arrived in Mostar as strong favourites against a Bosnian side who scraped through the league phase by the skin of their teeth, and yet they were unable to find a winner.
The second leg at home now becomes a must-not-lose occasion, with the reward for progression a last-16 tie against either Mainz or AEK Larnaca.
General view of Craven Cottage ahead of the Premier League match Fulham vs Chelsea Related
Fulham rivalling Crystal Palace for 'one of the most sought after managers in Europe'
He's now out of work.
The frustration around Palace right now runs deeper than one European result. Their Premier League form has been inconsistent — 13th in the table, 32 points from 26 games, and off the back of a dreadful collapse against Burnley last weekend.
Glasner is without several key players, too, with Eddie Nketiah, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jefferson Lerma all missing due to injury.
It is a club that needs strengthening, and it appears they have their eye on someone who could add real quality in the middle of the park.
Crystal Palace rival Everton and Bournemouth for Aidan Morris
According to Sports Boom, Crystal Palace are one of three Premier League clubs monitoring Middlesbrough midfielder Aidan Morris ahead of the summer transfer window.
Sunderland's Chris Rigg in action with Middlesbrough's Aidan Morris
Sunderland's Chris Rigg in action with Middlesbrough's Aidan Morris
Bournemouth and Everton are also understood to be keeping close tabs on the 24-year-old, who has quietly emerged as one of the 'standout stars' in the Championship this season.
He's also a 'rising star' at Boro, and despite the presence of highly coveted teammate Hayden Hackney, Morris has also covered himself in glory this season.
Morris has operated largely under the radar at the Riverside, with much of the attention around Hackney, who has long been linked with a step up to the top flight.
But those in the know have taken notice of what Morris brings to the table, and it seems Premier League scouts are increasingly convinced he can make that jump too.
The American came through the youth ranks at Columbus Crew, won the MLS Cup twice, and earned an All-Star nod in 2023 before earning his move to England.
Boro picked him up for just £3.2 million in the summer of 2024 — a fee that is starting to look like a real bargain.
This season he has been a driving force in a Middlesbrough side contending with Coventry City for the Championship title. Whether Palace can land him will depend partly on Boro's fate.
Should Swede Hellberg's side fail to clinch promotion, holding onto both Hackney and Morris this summer will be an enormous challenge.
Morris himself is contracted until 2028, so Boro hold the cards — but the level of interest from three established Premier League clubs suggests the asking price could be significant.
For Palace, getting their Conference League campaign back on track next week comes first, but the summer wheels are already turning.
Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada Related
Wharton 2.0: Crystal Palace already have Kamada's replacement out on loan
Crystal Palace are gearing up for a summer of sweeping change.