Crystal Palace are increasingly confident of winning the race to sign Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur.
The south London club’s need for attacking reinforcements has been exacerbated after striker Eddie Nketiah suffered a hamstring injury in training this week. Nketiah has been ruled out of tomorrow’s match with Fulham at Selhurst Park by manager Oliver Glasner, who said he was uncertain how long the problem will keep him out.
It is the third time Nketiah has suffered a hamstring issue this season, with injuries forcing him to miss 11 matches in total. Palace are also missing Ismalia Sarr, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
“Eddie is out for this game, so let’s see for the next game,” Glasner said. “We don’t know exactly how long it will take (to recover) – we’ll have to take it game by game.
“It’s a little bit his muscle, but we don’t know right now how serious it is. Of course, he’s had a few issues this year, and that’s why we are quite cautious.”
The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Palace had reached an agreement with Tottenham over a deal to sign Johnson for a fee approaching £35million (€40m; $47m).
The 24-year-old winger has been the subject of interest from other clubs and still has to decide on his future. But Palace are optimistic that they will be successful in persuading him to move early in the January transfer window.
It would offer a timely lift for Glasner, who has been vocal in his demands for Palace’s squad to be strengthened as they try to cope with a gruelling fixture schedule.
Asked about transfer plans by reporters on Wednesday, Glasner replied: “Let’s see what happens. Tomorrow starts the next crazy month in football – and I don’t know. I’ve experienced so many different situations.
“The next 31 days, everything is possible. I have always positive signs from the club in our talks, and I know all the effort. Everyone who is working behind the scenes on transfers and developing Crystal Palace is very hard-working and giving huge effort.”
Chris Richards, the USMNT defender, has also been ruled out of the Fulham match with the foot injury he sustained in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal last week.
Richards required stitches in a foot wound and missed the home defeat to Tottenham on December 28.
Glasner had been hopeful of having the centre-half available for the visit of Fulham but has now ruled him out of that game and potentially Sunday’s trip to Newcastle United.
“His foot is too swollen, so he can’t wear a boot right now – it’s too painful,” Glasner said.