Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing Leicester City winger Kasey McAteer.
With just 13 goals to their name this season, the Eagles are the joint fourth-worst scorers in the Premier League in 2023/24. It is therefore strikingly obvious as to where the club’s problems lay and why manager Roy Hodgson is eyeing attacking reinforcements in the upcoming winter transfer window.
According to Football Transfers, Crystal Palace are monitoring the developments of Leicester City’s Kasey McAteer but face competition from Everton.
McAteer, 22, rose through the ranks of the Leicester City academy before landing his first team debut in the 2021-22 season. Following loan spells with Forest Green Rovers and AFC Wimbledon, he has become a vital cog in Enzo Maresca’s side this season, registering four goals in 11 Championship appearances.
The Foxes are hopeful of tying the young Englishman to a new deal amid Premier League clubs’ interest, with his contract expiring in 2025. However, that isn’t going to dampen Crystal Palace’s interest in McAteer, the report adds.
Kasey McAteer to Crystal Palace—Right move?
Crystal Palace suffered a double blow in the 2-1 defeat to Luton Town last weekend, with Cheick Doucoure and Eberechi Eze suffering injuries. Doucoure could miss the rest of the season with a serious Achilles injury, while an ankle injury forced Eze to come off.
Roy Hodgson and his coaching staff has had to cope with many injury problems since the start of the campaign. As a result, the Eagles have failed to gather any momentum in their performances and lie in the bottom half of the table. Hodgson remains keen to add to his squad in January, and even though Michael Olise marked his return from injury with a goal against Luton, a winger appears to be on his wishlist.
Kasey McAteer has emerged as a target for the Eagles. The 22-year-old has played on both the flanks for Leicester City this season, although his appearances from the right has yielded four goals. He would undoubtedly fit Hodgson’s plans for his versatility and ability to score goals. The fact that the 22-year-old can come in for someone like Olise in games makes it a significant factor, as the left-footed winger has just returned from injury.
McAteer is an exciting talent and could be a fantastic long-term addition to Palace’s attacking ranks. However, Leicester are in no hurry to part ways with their academy graduate and are already planning to tie him on to a new deal, so Palace will need to come up with a tempting offer to persuade them into selling McAteer in January.