According to Fabrizio Romano, Derby County youngster Malcolm Ebiowei is on the verge of joining Crystal Palace on a 5-year deal after completing a medical at the Selhurst Park club. The player has attracted a lot of interest after appearing 29 times and scoring eight goals for the Pride Park club this season.
English talent Malcolm Ebiowei won’t join Manchester United. He’s set to sign his contract with Crystal Palace after medicals completed this week, it’s a done deal. 🚨🔵🔴 #CPFC
Ebiowei will leave Derby County to join Palace – contract will be valid until June 2027. pic.twitter.com/EMtfJiwIbS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 22, 2022
Malcolm Ebiowei Chooses Selhurst Park Over Old Trafford
Ebiowei to Bolster Crystal Palace
Ebiowei enjoyed an impressive season for the Championship team. The youngster became an integral part of Wayne Rooney‘s team and impressed on the right-wing. Manchester United were linked with a move for him, but the youngster has made his preference clear by agreeing to move to London.
He joined Derby County after spending four years in the Arsenal academy. After leaving Arsenal, the England under-16 international spent 12 months in Scotland with Rangers before moving to Pride Park.
Soon after breaking into the Derby County first team, Ebiowei won the plaudits of his manager following a 1-1 draw against Coventry City: “I thought he was excellent all game – the best player on the pitch.” Rooney said. “It was one of the best performances I have seen from a young player, consistently for 90 minutes, in a long time.” Winning this praise from Rooney shows what a prodigious talent he is.
What Ebiowei Brings to Selhurst Park
The Derby County youngster has won widespread praise for his performances in s struggling team last season. The Championship team enjoyed a nightmare campaign on and off the pitch.
Despite the team’s difficulties, he’s had a great attitude all season as expressed by Rooney and the Derby County hierarchy at various points this season. He’s quick, direct, and brave on the ball. Ebiowei is brilliant at tacking on players in one on one situations. He is an exciting prospect, and this could prove to be a real coup for Crystal Palace and a missed opportunity for Manchester United.
With the restrictions in place for their takeover, stopping the club from arranging contract extensions it’s made it an impossible task to keep their young prized asset at Pride Park, as his contract expires this summer.