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Gareth Southgate is considering making a significant change to England's tactical set-up for their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.

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England criticised for performancesSouthgate open to making big changeThree Lions may line up in new formationWHAT HAPPENED?

The Three Lions boss has been criticised for his team's underwhelming performances throughout the tournament in Germany, despite guiding them to the last eight. However, reports he is exploring a new system in his team's preparations for the clash against a Swiss side that eliminated Italy in the previous round.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The report claims the England manager is exploring the idea of setting his team up with a three-man defence for their next match. With central defender Marc Guehi ruled out with a yellow card suspension, Southgate could opt to line up with John Stones, Kyle Walker and Ezri Konsa in the backline. However, it remains to be seen if England will adopt a new formation or stick with the 4-2-3-1 system they have used so far.

DID YOU KNOW?

Southgate switched to a back three in extra-time in England's last-16 win against Slovakia on Sunday. England trailed 1-0 for most of the game before Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time equaliser forced extra-time, where Harry Kane's early goal sealed a 2-1 victory.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

Southgate will consider his options over the coming days before his team come up against Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday. The winner of the clash will go on to face either Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals.

Southampton are believed to be among the clubs to have tabled an offer for an "incredible" Championship player, according to a new transfer update.

Southampton transfer news

Saints are flying in the play-off battle at the moment, really cranking up the pressure on Ipswich Town after winning four of their last five league games. Russell Martin's third-placed side are now only one point behind them, and momentum seems to be in their favour.

New signings during the January transfer window could just give them that extra edge, but time is running out to get some key business over the line. Liverpool youngster Calvin Ramsay is one target who has emerged, with Southampton thought to be battling with Leeds United for the right-back's signature.

MTK Budapest ace Mihaly Kata is another player who has been linked with a January move to St Mary's, with Martin seeing him as someone who could bolster his options. Burnley's Manuel Benson is also wanted by the Saints, but Leeds are again providing strong competition for his services.

Southampton make Callum O'Hare bid

According to a new update from HITC, Southampton and Leicester City have both made offers for Coventry City ace Callum O'Hare, with Premier League side Burnley also believed to be interested.

"HITC Football understands that, with just a week left in the January transfer window, play-off chasing Coventry are facing an almighty battle hanging onto one of the most talented footballers in England’s second tier.

"We have been told that Burnley have made an offer to bring Callum O’Hare – who learned his trade at Aston Villa before leaving in 2020 – back to the Premier League. Leicester City and Southampton, placed first and third in the Championship at present, have submitted bids of their own, with O’Hare yet to sign a new contract at the Coventry Building Society Arena."

O'Hare could be a fantastic signing by Southampton this month, having proven himself over an extended period in the Championship. He has 13 goals and 21 assists in 121 appearances in the competition, including five strikes in 15 league games this season, with that tally likely to be higher had it not been for injury problems.

Callum O'Hare in the Championship this season	Total
Appearances	15
Goals	5
Assists	1
Tackles per game	1.2
Pass completion rate	86.5%

Coventry manager Mark Robins is clearly someone who values the 25-year-old greatly, waxing lyrical over him after a win over Birmingham City last month:

"I think he has been incredible because I mean looking back at Boxing Day last year and to see him was heart-breaking after the injury and then to see him come to terms with the injury and then go through that."

Southampton eyeing move to beat promotion rivals to sign "fantastic" player

The Saints could get one over on their Championship rivals.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jan 25, 2024

O'Hare could add so much quality to Southampton's side in attacking midfield areas, and if they can beat others to his signature before the end of the month, it could give them a further advantage in the Championship promotion picture.

It is believed a manager praised by treble-winning Man City boss Pep Guardiola is "attracted" to the Crystal Palace job, amid ever-mounting pressure on current head coach Roy Hodgson after another blow.

Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea

The Eagles made it three losses on the bounce after a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in south London on Monday evening, with Mauricio Pochettino's side scoring twice in stoppage time to inflict what was a painful final few minutes.

High-ranking Crystal Palace chiefs very angry after Roy Hodgson decision

There is real tension behind-the-scenes at Selhurst.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 9, 2024

Palace actually took the lead and held their own for a large portion of the contest, but their efforts were cruelly undone in dramatic fashion as Hodgson struggled to find the positives at first.

“I’m not really in the mood if I’m being brutally honest of (highlighting) positives and trying to find things to say that would cheer me up, because I don’t know what could be said that would cheer me up," said Hodgson on Palace's defeat to Chelsea.

“What can I say that will cheer the players up? I could possibly say, well, with the players we’ve got coming back and these guys doing so well, it bodes well for the future with the 14 games we have left.

Nathaniel Clyne

6.37

Chris Richards

6.43

Sam Johnstone

6.44

Joel Ward

6.48

Will Hughes

6.50

“But of course we still don’t know when (Michael) Olise, (Eberechi) Eze will be back, so we might be battling through like we’ve done tonight for a few more games before we can look at a team which will threaten the opposition a bit more than we did today.”

Former Palace loanee Conor Gallagher cancelled out Jefferson Lerma's opener just after half-time, with the Englishman then putting Chelsea in front on the 91st minute mark before Enzo Fernández rounded off their victory.

Mauricio Pochettino is under slightly less scrutiny after two wins on the trot in all competitions, but the same definitely cannot be said for his dugout rival from last night. Indeed, reports have suggested that chairman Steve Parish and the Palace board have been looking at managerial replacements for Hodgson, with an update now coming to light on ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui "attracted" by Crystal Palace job

The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Selhurst Park following his departure from Wolves last year, and Football Insider journalist Pete O'Rourke writes that Lopetegui is "attracted" by Palace's quality squad.

Parish and co are keen on the 57-year-old as a possible replacement for Hodgson, with the ex-Sevilla boss actually near the top of their target list. However, Lopetegui is also believed to not be overly infused with taking the job right this second as they flirt with relegation.

It could be one to watch in the summer if Palace avoid a drop to the Championship, though, and City boss Guardiola interestingly holds Lopetegui in very high esteem.

"I would like to call him in the next days. I'm so disappointed, but I know what football is," said Guardiola on Lopetegui after he was once sacked by Real Madrid.

"I'm sorry for Julen because he's a friend of mine, he's an exceptional person. We played together at Barcelona, and have an amazing relationship."

MatériaMais Notícias

da cassino： O Botafogo trabalha nos bastidores para recuperar os jogadores lesionados. Na tarde desta quinta-feira, o clube atualizou, por meio do Núcleo de Saúde e Performance, os quadros do meia Pedro Castro, do lateral-esquerdo Hugo e dos goleiros Diego Cavalieri e Gatito Fernández.

+ Com José Welison e Benevenuto de saída, Chamusca revela que Botafogo buscará jogadores no mercado

No comunicado, o Glorioso afirma que o quarteto está em processo de evolução, mas as principais novidades envolvem Hugo e Diego Cavalieri: a dupla entrou em transição e está ainda mais perto de retornar aos gramados.

Pedro Castro, com uma entorse no joelho, e Gatito Fernández, que teve um edema no joelho, seguem com trabalhos mais específicos e ainda estão em um estágio abaixo dos outros dois citados.

Hugo e Diego Cavalieri devem começar com um trabalho no campo – ainda de forma leve, vale ressaltar – em breve. O clube não informa sobre prazos de retorno aos gramados.

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da fazobetai： SITUAÇÃO DOS LESIONADOS:
Cavalieri – transição, evoluindo.
Hugo – transição, evoluindo.
Pedro Castro – tratando da entorse de joelho, evoluindo.
Gatito – tratando edema joelho, evoluindo.

Big Picture

Before the series began, you suspected these were well-matched sides. Both have been blown away in Australia this year. They live in the same neighbourhood on the Test rankings: Sri Lanka sitting sixth, Pakistan at eighth. Both have captains appointed this year, new coaches, and a reputation for failing to develop the blinding talents that enter the team. The Rawalpindi Test – what little of it was played at least – was further indication that there is not much to separate them. Sri Lanka had tough conditions to bat in, but fought their way to a competitive total. Pakistan had good batting conditions, and made ample use of them on the final day.Where Pakistan can perhaps impose themselves in Karachi is on the bowling front. They have the quicker attack overall, and if the Karachi track turns out to be stereotypically flat, that could amount to a substantial advantage. Yasir Shah may be suffering a crisis of confidence – his average up at over 120 from three overseas Tests this year – but if there is one side he has excelled against through his career, it is Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka’s attack, meanwhile has been doubly depleted. They had fielded an inexperienced pace attack in Rawalpindi, with Suranga Lakmal unavailable for the tour and the selectors unwilling to pick Nuwan Pradeep due to his frequent injuries. With Kasun Rajitha now out of the Karachi Test, an even less experienced bowler is set to slot in. Where in their last two series – in South Africa and Sri Lanka – the attack had bowler-friendly tracks to work with, they may have to work harder for their wickets in Karachi. A major test awaits, not only of the attack itself, but of Dimuth Karunaratne’s ability to marshal it.The visitors, though, have at least won Tests this year. Pakistan last won in November 2018, before losing five consecutive Tests, to New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. It seems unlikely that Sri Lanka will blow Pakistan away in Karachi, but they will at least hope they can scrape together a flawed performance that lurches them haphazardly to victory, which has been their blueprint for victory under Karunaratne.

Form guide

Pakistan DLLLL (last five Tests, most recent first)
Sri Lanka DLWWW

In the spotlight

Some of the buzz before Rawalpindi was how Fawad Alam had finally forced himself into a Test squad after years of domestic achievement, but it was Abid Ali whose long wait for a Test spot coalesced into a vindication of his selection. Abid appeared confident for the majority of his innings, a brief short-ball barrage by Lahiru Kumara the only passage of play in which he appeared even slightly uncomfortable. He’s clearly in excellent touch now, and another good outing in Karachi will help keep Imam-ul-Haq (a contender for the opening spot) at bay.Dilruwan Perera‘s year has been almost as bad as Yasir Shah’s. In four Tests – in Australia, Sri Lanka, and in Rawalpindi – he has only five wickets and averages 89.40 in 2019. What has been especially disappointing about his performance is that in the first year without Rangana Herath, Dilruwan was expected to lead the spin attack. Instead, he has been outperformed even by the likes of Dhananjaya de Silva. The only man in the attack with more than 20 Tests to his name, he needs wickets in Karachi to retain his position as Sri Lanka’s senior spinner.

Team news

Usman Shinwari is out of the Test with typhoid. Yasir Shah is likely to enter the XI.Pakistan (possible): 1 Shan Masood, 2 Abid Ali, 3 Azhar Ali (capt) , 4 Babar Azam, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Yasir Shah, 9 Mohammad Abbas, 10 Naseem Shah, 11 Shaheen AfridiSri Lanka may field two spinners, with left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya likeliest to come into the XI in place of Kasun Rajitha.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), 2 Oshada Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Dinesh Chandimal, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 8 Dilruwan Perera, 9 Lasith Embuldeniya, 10 Vishwa Fernando, 11 Lahiru Kumara

Pitch and conditions

Unless the Sri Lanka team lives up to its reputation of taking their island’s rains with them wherever they travel, there should be more cricket in Karachi than the 167 overs seen in Rawalpindi. Clear skies and temperatures in the mid 20s are forecast for the duration of the match.The surface in Karachi is reputed to be a batting fantasy, but it is difficult to predict now, with Tests not having been played here for 10 years.

Stats and trivia

• Yasir Shah has 40 Test wickets from five Tests against Sri Lanka. His average of 21.65 is his best against any opposition.
• Sri Lanka haven’t lost a bilateral Test series in Pakistan since 1991. They have won two series here since, in 1995 and 2000.
• If Pakistan lose this Test, this will be the first calendar year in which they have gone winless since 1991 (a year in which they only played two Tests).
• Dilruwan Perera averages 51.35 away from home, but his average against Pakistan in the UAE was slightly better, sitting at 29.15 after three Tests.

Celtic could complete a superb signing with the permanent capture of on-loan Tottenham Hotspur defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The lowdown: Breakthrough season

The 24-year-old USA international joined the Hoops on a season-long loan and has enjoyed an impressive 2021/22 campaign for the Glasgow giants.

So much so that the Parkhead hierarchy are expected to sanction the reported £10million (£6m initial) option to buy clause included in the deal that brought the centre-back from north London to Celtic Park.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-6/” title=”Key latest Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Amidst interest from the Premier League and Newcastle United, in particular, Celtic may be thankful for their pre-existing upper hand.

The latest: ‘Massive coup’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones, an insider for Eurosport, suggested that the Bhoys would be over the moon if Carter-Vickers becomes a permanent member of Postecoglou’s ranks.

The journalist said: “It’d be a massive coup because the player obviously still believes he can play in the English Premier League. But he has found a good home for himself right now, and part of him will realise that and know that if they could put forward a big enough incentive for him to stay, then he maybe should do that.

“It’s a big season next season in Glasgow, there’s so much to compete for between Celtic and Rangers. It’d be a big result if Celtic could keep him; they’ve still got a chance.”

The verdict: Make it happen

Described as an ‘absolute beast’ by Tottenham favourite Jan Vertonghen, Carter-Vickers has been superb for Celtic this term, earning a 7.34 average Sofascore rating in the Scottish Premiership, winning 5.8 duels and making 4.3 clearances on average per game.

For the mooted £10million fee the Hoops would be signing a proven top-flight operator with eight-cap international experience and the required skill-set to develop even further in his career to come thereafter – potentially earning the club a hefty sell-on fee down the line.

Albeit unlikely, were major interest to be forthcoming this summer, the deal has worked in such a way that, in theory, Celtic could make an instant profit on the defender in order to boost the coffers yet further and allow Postecoglou to strengthen freely.

In other news, one Celtic player has been backed to leave the club. Find out who it is here.

Former Australia ODI captain and current Tasmania batsman George Bailey is set to become the third member of the national selection panel alongside chairman Trevor Hohns and head coach Justin Langer, adding the contemporary voice that Cricket Australia has been searching for in their deliberations for the national team.Bailey, who is widely respected in Australian cricket circles, will be a departure from tradition by taking on a selection role while still a player, though numerous cricketers have been selectors either as captain or in the summers immediately after retirement, including Hohns, Peter Taylor and Greg Chappell. It was Chappell’s retirement from his role as selector following the Ashes series this year that opened up the place taken by Bailey.CA had previously flirted with the concept of having a current player as a selector when Hohns floated Darren Lehmann as a candidate prior to his retirement, before the concept was thwarted at board level. Usman Khawaja, the Queensland captain, spoke favourably of the prospect of choosing a current player as a selector when asked about it on Monday.”I think there is always an option there. I think there is no one more involved and more relevant in the game than people who are actually playing the game,” Khawaja said. “I think players are one of the biggest stakeholders, sometimes the most under-utilised and undervalued stakeholders in the game. I think it’s always important to have someone in the skin of the game.”Communication between selectors and players has improved over the years, but it is believed that the players have suggested it can get better still, something that Bailey will be keenly aware of. Equally he will bring along the perspective of a cricketer who has played more or less his entire career in the Twenty20 era, leading Australia to the global tournament in Sri Lanka in 2012 when they reached the semi-finals.Other candidates to make the final three included the former Victoria and South Australia batsman Michael Klinger and also Greg Shipperd, presently the coach of the Sydney Sixers. Langer had also spoken positively of wanting to find a role in Australian cricket for Trevor Bayliss after the conclusion of his time as England coach this year.”Really pleased with the people who put their hat in the ring for that role,” CA’s head of national teams Ben Oliver said on Monday. “There will be some people who are really disappointed no doubt [at missing out on the role] but they should all take great encouragement and they all have a lot to offer. Really looking forward to getting to the end of that process. Not quite there yet, but we’re not far away.”The panel, and all three, will be responsible for all Australian men’s teams. What we’ve tried to achieve in this recruitment process is adding in some complementary skills to support Trevor and Justin, and one of those is a consideration around short-format cricket.”Oliver explained that the national pathways manager Graham Manou, who had previously worked closely with Chappell in his role as national talent manager, would have a major linking role to keep the selectors abreast of developments in junior and pathway competitions, though like the national captains Tim Paine and Aaron Finch he will not be formally added to the panel.”It’s important for our selection panel to be across the talent that’s emerging through domestic cricket,” Oliver said. “Graham Manou as the national talent and pathway manager has a key role to play in connecting the domestic system but certainly we’re looking for this particular role that we’re recruiting for now, to have a close connection to Graham and to our domestic teams and our domestic coaches.”Sticking with three and Graham’s an important conduit between the panel and domestic cricket. He’s been helping throughout this period as well. At the moment sticking with three [selectors].”Bailey has retorted to questions about bias by saying “I’m not going to pick myself”, while Paine revealed during the Gabba Test against Pakistan that he was firmly in favour of the appointment. “In last week’s Shield game he was batting at five, I was batting at seven, so we were both sitting in the change rooms and set up a mock interview,” Paine told ABC radio. “He’s ready to go, so hopefully he gets the nod, I think he’d be ideal.”

It is now mathematically impossible for Manchester United to qualify for Champions League football next season and Erik ten Hag has a huge job on his hands this summer in improving the current squad by finding the right solutions.

The club has now entered their longest trophy drought in 40 years to add more salt to the wounds of a very poor and disappointing season at Old Trafford and ruthless decisions must be made by the incoming boss ahead of next season if they have any chance of competing for trophies in the future.

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With that being said, it wouldn’t be surprising if no players feel safe and secure in their position in the squad following a string of poor performances of late, taking just one victory and three defeats from their last five games.

One player who has struggled this season is academy graduate Scott McTominay, who has been one of the many players under scrutiny this season.

Former West Ham player Frank McAvennie gave a scathing review of the Scottish midfielder telling Football Insider;

“He’s not good enough for Man United.”

“McTominay is a good player but he just seems to stroll in some games.”

Ten Hag could have an ace up his sleeve if he doesn’t see McTominay as the right fit for his revolution at Old Trafford, as James Garner is shining bright on loan at Nottingham Forest this season and he could save millions by deploying him in Man United’s midfield next season.

The £3.6m-rated gem who was hailed “creative” by Martin Keown and dubbed “special” by Statman Dave, has been proving his worth in the Championship this season with four goals and eight assists in 41 appearances from the centre of the pitch, and it’s not just his goal contributions that have attracted praise.

Garner has won the majority of his duels combined (53%) and has been successful in the majority of his dribbles (58%). He has also created seven big chances whilst making 1.4 interceptions and 1.8 tackles on average per game, proving that he is effective in both offensive and defensive play, offering similar qualities to legendary Man United all-rounder midfielder Michael Carrick.

There is no clarity on the 21-year-old’s future of yet, but following the completion of Forest’s Championship play-off fixtures over the next few weeks, there will surely be a decision made on what next season holds for the young player.

Weakness in defensive play and control of the ball in midfield is no secret at Old Trafford and it is one key area the new manager must solve this summer if they have any chance of improving and allowing Garner to take on that role could be a master-class for Ten Hag in his first season at the club.

AND in other news: Forget McTominay: MUFC must brutally axe “pathetic” dud who 0 duels duels v Brighton

Alisha Lehmann admitted she misses Aston Villa's Maz Pacheco and former team-mate Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah in a heartfelt social media exchange.

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• Lehmann close pals with Pacheco & Boye-Hlorkah
• Trio exchange heartfelt Instagram messages
• Villa's Lehmann currently enjoying summer break

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Switzerland international Lehmann has been enjoying her summer break following the conclusion of the Women's Super League season and fixtures for her country. Away from her holidays, the 25-year-old responded to Pacheco's sweet Instagram message and replied with one of her own.

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• WHAT ALISHA LEHMANN SAID

  After Pacheco posted a photo of her, Lehmann, and Boye-Hlorkah in their Villa kits from years gone by, she wrote: "Missing my lil trio. My G's come home soon please."

  Lehmann responded by writing: "Miss you so much," with three love hearts in her Instagram story.

  Instagram

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Pacheco may want a reunion with the other two, Boye-Hlorkah has been at the London City Lionesses since 2023 and Lehmann has been linked with a move to Juventus. It remains to be seen if she will stay at Villa for next season.

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Lehmann, who also had spells with West Ham and BSC YB Frauen, is likely to return to sporting action next month when Switzerland take on Turkey and Azerbaijan in their 2025 Euros qualifiers on July 12 and 16 respectively.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are apparently wasting no time on another transfer pursuit, right after they finally sealed a deal for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

He'd be better than Rodrygo: Arsenal "are looking" at signing £100m winger

Arsenal are ready to complete their summer transfer window with a big-money signing.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 25, 2025

The last month of their summer window has been dominated by their chase for Gyökeres.

Two weeks ago, Arsenal agreed a deal in principle to sign the Swedish striker for £64 million, paying a £55m guaranteed fee plus around £9m in add-ons (The Athletic), but talks were held up over the structure of the aforementioned bonuses (GOAL).

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£153m

However, earlier this week, Arteta’s side finally reached a breakthrough for the ex-Coventry City star, and Gyokeres is now set to become a new Arsenal player (Sky Sports).

The 27-year-old, who scored 54 goals in all competitions last season, became Berta’s primary target after the Gunners abandonded initial talks for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

After signing Gyokeres, attention is turning to their pursuit of a central attacking midfielder, as Arteta looks to add more creativity to his squad following their struggles against the low-block last campaign.

Arsenal confirmed Noni Madueke’s arrival last weekend, but aside from Gyokeres, the England international is their only attacking signing of the window. Their deal for Madueke, which attracted mixed reviews from supporters, was apparently pushed by Berta.

Madueke and Gyokeres, according to recent reports, could soon be joined by Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.

Eberechi Eze convinced he's going to join Arsenal

Arsenal are expected to accelerate their plans to sign Eze, and journalist Graeme Bailey has shared a very intriguing update in a piece for TBR Football.

According to the journalist, Eze has told friends that he’s going to join Arsenal this summer, following talks with the Gunners, and it is reported that Arteta’s side have held discussions with Palace too.

It is by no means a certainty that Arsenal will formally make a bid just yet, according to the journalist, as Berta is known for spinning many plates at once when it comes to transfer targets, and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo remains on their shortlist.

However, Bailey is convinced that there is a strong possibility Eze will sign for Arsenal by the end of next month.

“I am told that Eze remains firmly on Arsenal’s radar, and they have done plenty of work on him,” said Bailey.

“There is a very good chance that Eze will be an Arsenal player before the end of August.”

Eze bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Palace last season, including their FA Cup final-winning goal against Man City, and his release clause is believed to be around £60 million (plus a potential £8m if bonuses are reached).