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According to The Sun, Roma are looking for a long-term replacement for Aleksandar Kolarov and have identified Crystal Palace’s Patrick van Aanholt as one of their primary targets when the transfer window opens in January – the Selhurst Park outfit should consider accepting, but only if it means Edin Dzeko may come the other way.
What’s the word?
Well, The Sun reports that the Champions League Group G runners-up are keen to replace former Manchester City man Kolarov as he enters the twilight of his career and that Palace could soon receive a £25m bid for Van Aanholt’s services.
The 28-year-old has improved hugely since a £9m move from Sunderland in January 2017 and has established himself as a key player in the Palace squad while also getting onto Juventus’ radar, meaning that Roma may have to battle with other European giants for the Dutch international’s signature.
Palace’s ability to keep the ball out of the net has become key to their relative ‘success’ in the Premier League as they struggle to put it in at the other end of the pitch, so perhaps accepting Roma’s bid for Van Aanholt would be wise if doing so would enable them to sign Dzeko – the Bosnian would add some much-needed teeth to the Eagles attack and he has admitted he would love a return to England.
A second chance at the Prem
The 32-year-old scored his way to his status as one of the Premier League’s best super-subs in his days at the Etihad but, after Pep Guardiola took the helm, was deemed surplus to requirements.
At 6-foot-4, the striker is a force to be reckoned with – indeed, WhoScored lists his aerial duels as ‘very strong’ and his finishing as ‘strong’, the latter of which is crucial for Palace as they have scored only 14 goals this season.
The hitman has been on fire for Roma in the Champions League, in particular, as he has scored five goals and teed up a further two in just four games – if there is any chance that Palace can scoop the striker in January, then they should take it, even at the cost of one of their most consistent performers as they have ample cover at left-back.
Roberto Firmino has thrown a party themed around the colour of his teeth! Watch the video above to find out what we’re talking above…
