Crystal Palace may have splashed a club-record amount on a deal to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen in January, but they are already eyeing more changes to their forward line for the upcoming summer window.
The Eagles have moved away from a relegation battle in recent weeks and currently sit 10 points above West Ham in the relegation zone, while they also earned a spot in the Conference League quarter-finals last week with an extra-time win over AEK Larnaca.
But the club are already preparing for major changes at Selhurst Park with Oliver Glasner set to depart at the end of his contract, while Jean-Philippe Mateta is also expected to move on after his January move to AC Milan collapsed, and now a target to replace him in the squad has emerged.
Crystal Palace Eyeing Jonathan Burkardt
Jonathan Burkardt celebrating after scoring for Eintracht Frankfurt
Palace brought in Larsen during the January window, and the Norway international has netted three goals in ten appearances for the club. He has been regularly selected ahead of Eddie Nketiah too, who has been suffering with a number of injuries since moving from Arsenal, and the south London club are now planning to add another forward to the squad.
According to Sports Boom, Eintracht Frankfurt star Jonathan Burkardt has emerged as a target for Premier League clubs, including Palace, as they look to add more firepower to the squad.
Burkardt, who has been described as 'clinical', has netted 11 goals in 22 appearances for the Bundesliga side this season, playing in a more advanced forward position rather than his usual attacking midfield role.
Frankfurt don't want to lose the 25-year-old German this summer, but they accept that he isn't 'untouchable' in their squad, and an offer worth around €45m (£39m) would be enough to convince them to sell.
Crystal Palace have already made contact with his representatives to gauge interest in a deal, and it's understood that they are preparing a concrete bid to try and bring him to the Premier League.
Would Burkardt Fit In at Crystal Palace?
Jonathan Burkardt
Burkardt has got top-level experience and is at an age where he is likely ready and willing to make the step up to a higher level, which Palace could provide him with.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT if Burkardt would be a good fit for the Eagles, and what his strengths and weaknesses are, and this was its response:
Strengths
Clinical finisher; strong xG + goals output among Bundesliga strikers
Intelligent movement, creates space and links play well
High work rate; presses aggressively from the front
Versatile (lone striker or in a pair)
Weaknesses
Injury history (serious knee issues, missed long spells)
Not dominant aerially
Shot consistency can fluctuate
Verdict
Strong tactical fit for Palace’s pressing style; risk lies in durability.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola watching on from the touchline Related
Bournemouth Set to Rival Crystal Palace to Appoint Former Tottenham Manager
Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are in the market for a manager.