Crystal Palace keen on signing Christian Norgaard

Crystal Palace are considering a move for Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard this summer, according to reports.

Palace are desperately looking to reinforce their midfield ranks ahead of a season in which they will be playing in both the Premier League and the Europa League next season.

Palace struggled at times with rotation last season, with Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada having to play a significant portion of the matches, with Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes the only other two midfielders in the squad able to play.

Cheick Doucoure’s long term injury did not help proceedings, but Palace are now looking at the former Brentford captain as a viable option at the heart of midfield for next season’s likely strenuous campaign.

According to Sports Boom, Palace are prepared to offer Norgaard an exit route, after the Dane has effectively become surplus to requirements at Arsenal.

He joined the Gunners last year from Brentford in a move which seemed like a smart one to reinforce their squad depth.

But Norgaard was rarely trusted throughout the season and often found himself on the bench and an unused substitute.

Now 32, he is hardly a spring chicken who is going to attract attention from top clubs around the Premier League, as he may have done last season.

But he is still a very able and very experienced midfielder, who can certainly do a job in the heart of the Palace midfield next year.

The club have been pursuing a deal to sign Hayden Hackney, and that does seem like a move that could happen, although reports have suggested that Everton are now ahead in that deal.

But Norgaard is both a good alternative and also someone that may well be wanted regardless of if Palace can secure the deal to bring in Hackney or not.

This is effectively for two primary reasons.

Palace are set to endure what will undoubtedly be one of their most difficult seasons ever.

Last year was tough, but the demands of the Europa League far outweigh that of the Conference League.

Furthermore, Norgaard is not just a man who can come in and bring experience; he was routinely ranked amongst the best ball-winning midfielders when at Brentford, that will not have simply gone away from a year of not playing much at Arsenal.

It is not what Palace would normally do of course, Norgaard is experienced and over the hill at 32, but he is also a player with plenty more to give.

Assuming they continue to follow their traditional model of signing young players too this summer, bringing Norgaard in feels like an excellent and smart choice for the Eagles.