Report: Palace preparing to sign Wolfsburg's Vranckx
On the same day that South London's Crystal Palace announced the signing of former Bundesliga star Daichi Kamada, it appears as if the EPL side might have outpaced the competition to secure the services of a current Bundesliga professional. Belgian midfielder Aster Vranckx - who appeared to be on the verge of a move to Napoli - might be headed to the Isle instead.
Unlike Kamada, Vranckx never worked directly under current Palace trainer Oliver Glasner. The 21-year-old signed on at Germany's green company team the year after Glasner departed for Frankfurt. Vranckx played two seasons with Germany's northern Autostädter, spending the 2022/23 season on loan at AC Milan. He never achieved the status of a regular under Niko Kovac.
With no discernible role in Ralph Hasenhüttl's coaching regime, Vranckx's departure this summer has been considered a certainty. Belgian footballing journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that Palace have taken advantage of the hesitancy of Napoli and other interested parties. The current Belgian Euro representative has been offered a five year deal and Wolfsburg will receive a transfer fee of around €10 million.