Premier League club Crystal Palace are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Adam Armstrong from Blackburn Rovers.
According to Sky Sports, Palace have had a bid rejected but remain front-runners, but they could face competition from fellow Premier League side Southampton. The Saints are now in the market for a new striker following the departure of Danny Ings to Aston Villa.
Striker Adam Armstrong in Demand
Rovers Set Asking Price for Adam Armstrong as Opening Bid Rejected
Crystal Palace are in advanced talks with Blackburn to sign striker Adam Armstrong who is being tracked by numerous Premier League clubs
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 5, 2021
It is believed that Crystal Palace have placed a bid for Armstrong, who hit 30 goals last season for Blackburn in the Championship. His tally was bettered only by Ivan Toney whose goals helped Brentford gain promotion.
However, the Eagles’ opening offer fell short of Rovers’ valuation, which is believed to be £20 million. Whether Palace are willing to match that valuation remains to be seen, but if not, Southampton could beat them to his signature, having money in the bank following the sale of Ings.
Rovers Won’t Let Star Man Leave on the Cheap
Despite the 24-year-old having just one year left on his current contract at Ewood Park, Rovers are set to disappoint any club wanting to sign him cheaply. Manager Tony Mowbray spoke about Armstrong recently and revealed that he has been open with his striker regarding the speculation surrounding the striker’s future.
He told Lancashire Live: “Adam knows the number, everyone has a valuation and I don’t think we’re being unrealistic.
“I’ve said to Adam that if they meet the number he can go, and we’ll shake him by the hand and wish him well and the football club will move on and hopefully we can find a replacement that can make the fans forget Adam pretty quickly and he can go and be successful somewhere else but there’s going to be a new hero around the corner.”
Palace Looking to Re-Sign Defender
In other Palace news, new manager Patrick Viera could be set to re-sign defender Nathaniel Clyne. The 30-year-old signed a short-term deal last season under the then Palace manager Roy Hodgson. However, that deal expired this summer and the former England international is a free agent.
The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath is reporting that Viera is interested in bringing the ex-Liverpool man back to the club ahead of next season.
Despite Clyne being a free agent, he has still played for Palace during pre-season.
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