Crystal Palace tried to sign Ruben Kluivert as a replacement for Marc Guehi late into the winter transfer window.
The Lyon No.21 was the subject of an approach from the Eagles after Guehi left to join Manchester City in a £20m deal, but contact was made far too late and a move never materialised.
Kluivert has now been speaking to Ouest-France about that transfer saga, admitting he never truly wanted to swap Lyon for Selhurst Park.
Ruben Kluivert opens up on “confusing” approach from Crystal Palace
The son of Patrick Kluivert told the French news outlet that he does “dream” of playing in the Premier League one day, but was confused by how late Crystal Palace left it to make a move.
The 24-year-old said: “It was confusing, because it was very late in the day. I’m happy to be here, 100% committed to this project in Lyon. We’re still in the Europa League and the Coupe de France, we have a lot of games to play with a really superb squad, and I’m convinced we can go far in all these competitions.
“For these reasons, I would say that the club did the right thing in keeping me. Personally, I can’t deny that the Premier League remains a dream, but if I had to choose, I prefer the way things turned out. The club made the right choice.
“I signed a five-year contract with Lyon, and I see myself staying for at least another two or three years. The fact that they wanted to keep me here was a relief.”
So, with those comments in mind, Crystal Palace might not be able to sign Kluivert until at least 2028.
That is far too long to go without a replacement for Guehi, but there are alternatives to the Lyon defender for Steve Parish to consider.
Three other centre-backs Crystal Palace are aware of
Kluivert was not the only defender linked to Crystal Palace on a bizarre deadline day, as three others found themselves in the headlines.
The Evening Standard say the Eagles enquired about Club Brugge No.4 Joel Ordonez and Toulouse star Charlie Cresswell – a target in the summer of 2025 too – who came through the academy at Leeds.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace looks on.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Reports in Portugal claim that Crystal Palace also retain an interest in Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP – although that deal could cost as much as £50m.
In our view, Cresswell is the most likely option of the three, but it remains to be seen who Parish signs as a replacement for Guehi this summer.