Crystal Palace did very well to avoid relegation last season as they finished 14th in the table, just seven points away from the drop zone. Former Inter Milan boss Frank de Boer is now in charge of the London outfit for the new season but he has been rather quiet in the transfer window, making just one addition to his squad so far.
He is adamant on improving his defence but reports now suggest that he is looking to add to his attack as well. This has seen him linked with Dutch forward Luuk de Jong for a move this summer.
Transfer story
According to reports from the Daily Mail, De Boer wants to jump into his native country for some quality additions to his squad this summer and wants the 26-year old to spearhead his attack this season for the side. Also wanted by German side Hannover, De Jong missed the most recent game for his side and is expected to be up for sale, but is he a decent option for the Eagles?
De Jong and his strengths
Known for his hold up play and dominance in the air, the Dutch international is a target man, in every sense of the word. He scored an amazing number of headers during a season but is equally efficient with the ball at his feet. A decent dribbler with a keen eye for the path-breaking pass, De Jong is a hard working striker who loves to put himself about for his side.
With deadly finishing and sumptuous touch, he is tailor-made for the English game and will be a huge asset to Palace in years to come. With 11 international appearances and more than 150 top flight league appearances in Europe, De Jong also has previous experience of playing in the Premier League when he joined Newcastle United on a loan stint that did not end well.
He has become a far more attacking threat than at that time and is a decent option for De Boer this summer.
Chances in London
He is also wanted in the Bundesliga, but De Jong and his style of play are more suited to the Premier League and Palace will love to have him in their ranks next season. Belgian star Christian Benteke is a similar player but the Dutch ace is a slightly more hard-working player, and might even replace Benteke in the first team.
He now has 95 goals and 55 assists in 186 Eredivisie appearances so far in his career and has also made 11 appearances for the national side, all at the age of 26. He is only going to better and will surely establish Palace as an attacking force in the English league next season.
