Crystal Palace were celebrating their best-ever day as a football club a little under 12 months ago, after claiming FA Cup glory against Manchester City at Wembley.
However, the last few months have seen the Eagles senior ranks get completely decimated, with key players such as Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi both sold to Arsenal and Manchester City respectively.
Such sales would negatively affect any squad, but when coupled with the pending departure of manager Oliver Glasner - it could well spell a recipe for disaster.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner before the match
The Austrian has already confirmed he will be departing Selhurst Park at the end of the campaign, opening up the question as to who will replace him ahead of 2026/27.
First-team players such as Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta have both been touted with potential exits from the Eagles, but their long-term futures currently remain up in the air.
However, three other players could well be set for moves to pastures new during the summer transfer window…
1 Jefferson Lerma
Jefferson-Lerma-Crystal-Palace
Back in the summer of 2023, Crystal Palace completed the free transfer signing of midfielder Jefferson Lerma from fellow Premier League side Bournemouth.
Since his move to Selhurst Park nearly three years ago, the Colombian international has now racked up over a century of first-team appearances - subsequently finding the back of the net just once.
The 31-year-old has even operated in a centre-back role as part of a back three, often offering Glasner a versatile option during his stint in charge of the Eagles.
However, his £70k-per-week and £3.6m-per-year deal expires at the end of the season, with no new contract appearing on the horizon at present, which could see leave on a free transfer to move on to pastures new.
Crystal Palace's Jefferson Lerma, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace's Trevoh Chalobah and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton
Lerma has now racked up 35 appearances across all competitions this season, often being a key member of the European side, which could open the door to a possible renewal.
Despite the temptation to hand the versatile player a new contract, the board should certainly look to move him on this summer and invest in higher-quality options.
2 Borna Sosa
Borna Sosa-1
During the summer transfer window, Palace completed the £3m signing of left-back Borna Sosa from Ajax in an attempt to bolster the depth in the wing-back area.
The 28-year-old has struggled to dislodge Tyrick Mitchell from the starting eleven in recent months, often having to rely upon cup action to gain valuable minutes in the starting eleven.
The Croatian has only featured in five league games, none of which have been from a starting role, subsequently featuring for a total of 53 minutes since the start of August.
However, his showing against Macclesfield in the FA Cup back in January was evidence of his struggles, subsequently completing just one of the eight crosses he attempted.
borna-sosa-palace
Out of possession, he was just as dismal, failing to win a single tackle, whilst picking up a yellow card after struggling to contain the non-league opposition.
It’s clear that Sosa - who earns a reported £35k-per-week and £1.8m a year - has struggled to reach the expectations set for him by many at Selhurst Park, with the hierarchy desperately needing to cash in on his services this summer.
3 Eddie Nketiah
Crystal Palace's Eddie Nketiah
The striking department has come into huge question as of late, with Mateta’s deal with AC Milan being cancelled at the final hour due to a knee injury.
However, the club forked out £44m for the signature of Jorgen Strand Larsen on deadline day, with such a transfer pushing fellow striker Eddie Nketiah further down the pecking order. Currently earning a reported £90k-per-week and £4.6m-per-year, getting rid would save the Eagles a fortune.
The Englishman joined for a reported £25m from Arsenal in the summer of 2024, but his move across the capital has certainly failed to take off over the last 18 months.
The 26-year-old is once again sidelined with an injury, subsequently failing to appear in a single game across all competitions since the 28th of December.
Eddie Nketiah - games missed through injury
Opponent
Fulham (H)
Newcastle (A)
Aston Villa (H)
Macclesfield (A)
Sunderland (A)
Chelsea (H)
Nottingham Forest (A)
Brighton (A)
Burnley (H)
Mostar (A)
Wolves (H)
As a result, he’s now found the back of the net just 11 times in his 56 appearances for the Eagles, which could lead to a possible departure in the summer transfer window.
Nketiah could have departed the Eagles during January, but his injury prevented a move to West Ham, after the Hammers had an offer accepted for his signature.
Eddie Nketiah Crystal Palace
The arrival of Strand Larsen has no doubt impacted his time at Selhurst Park, with the Englishman potentially needing to leave, along with Lerma and Sosa, to recapture their best form.
Crystal Palace's Jorgen Strand Larsen Related
He's perfect for Strand Larsen: 4-2-3-1 manager wants Crystal Palace job
Crystal Palace have a huge task on their hands this summer to replace the outgoing Oliver Glasner.