Crystal Palace have reached an agreement over their first signing of the summer, hijacking Southampton's move to sign a highly-rated 16-year-old sensation, according to TEAMtalk.
The Eagles are set to undergo a huge summer of change at Selhurst Park at the end of the season, with Oliver Glasner set to depart as manager at the end of his contract, while there is also expectation that Adam Wharton, Jean Philippe-Mateta, and even Maxence Lacroix could be on the move.
But chairman Steve Parish is intent on not allowing the squad he's built to be completely ripped apart, and wants to ensure the club continue to target some of the top young talent around.
Crystal Palace Agree Deal for Afzal
Glasner and Parish
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Crystal Palace have moved to beat off competition for highly-rated left-back Harris Afzal by making a formal bid for his services.
It's understood that Palace have agreed a deal worth around £40,000 plus a significant sell-on fee for the 16-year-old, who has been compared to Liverpool and Scotland icon Andy Robertson, moving ahead of Southampton in the race for his signature, although they have also agreed a deal for him.
Afzal is now set to continue his development south of the border having come through the academy at Queen's Park, with Palace especially keen to bring him in after intervention from chairman Steve Parish, who has been increasingly active in the pursuit of top young talent.
A final decision from the player is expected to be made imminently, before the move is finalised in the summer.
Who is Harris Afzal?
Selhurst Park (Crystal Palace FC)
Palace have always been known to have a great eye for young talent, with the likes of Jacob Devenny, Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and Adam Wharton joining as youngsters and developing their talents into Premier League players.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT to break down Afzal's style of play and his strengths and weaknesses, while comparing him to current players, and this was its response:
Style of play
Attack-minded left-back; overlaps and carries the ball
Comfortable progressing play, modern full-back profile
Strengths
Athletic and forward-thinking
Composed in possession
Versatility in build-up phases
Weaknesses
Raw defensively (positioning/duels)
Limited senior experience
End product still developing
Comparison
Similar profile to Aaron Hickey (balanced full-back)
Attacking intent closer to Andrew Robertson (overlapping runs)
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