Crystal Palace are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Anan Khalaili from Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, with the transfer expected to be finalised in the coming week.
The fee for the 21-year-old Israel international is reported to be in the region of £21m, according to the Athletic. Khalaili, who primarily plays on the right side of midfield, enjoyed a productive campaign for Union SG last season, making 52 appearances across all competitions while contributing six goals and six assists.
His experience on the European stage is expected to be a valuable asset for Palace as they gear up for their upcoming Europa League campaign. Khalaili featured for Union SG in the Champions League last term, giving him firsthand knowledge of continental competition that could prove useful for the Eagles this season.
The move for Khalaili forms part of a busy period of transfer activity for Palace, who have already strengthened their defensive options this window. The south London club has brought in both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oscar Mingueza on free transfers, bolstering their backline ahead of the new campaign.
Palace's recruitment drive has not been limited to defensive reinforcements. The club is also reportedly closing in on a deal for 19-year-old Real Salt Lake winger Zavier Gozo, suggesting a broader strategy to add depth and youth to their attacking options.
The Eagles had also shown interest in Brennan Johnson, but that pursuit appears to have reached its conclusion elsewhere. Johnson is set to join Everton in a swap arrangement that will see Dwight McNeil move to Nottingham Forest in the opposite direction, effectively ending any possibility of the Wales international arriving at Selhurst Park.
With Khalaili's arrival, Palace look set to add a versatile and experienced wide player to their ranks, one who has already tasted Champions League football despite his relatively young age. His attacking output at Union SG, including a healthy tally of goals and assists in a season of heavy involvement, points to a player capable of making an immediate impact in Palace's squad.
The timing of the deal, coming as Palace prepare for European football themselves, appears deliberate. Having secured qualification for the Europa League, the club has been keen to add players with continental pedigree who can adapt quickly to the demands of a congested fixture list that includes domestic and European commitments.
Palace's summer business, taken as a whole, indicates a club looking to strengthen across multiple areas of the pitch. The free transfer additions of Tomiyasu and Mingueza address defensive needs, while the expected signings of Khalaili and Gozo suggest an effort to inject fresh quality and depth into the squad's attacking and midfield areas.
As the transfer window progresses, further confirmation of Khalaili's move is anticipated, with the deal reportedly in its final stages. Once completed, it will represent one of the more significant outlays of Palace's summer recruitment, reflecting the club's ambitions as they look to build on recent progress both domestically and in Europe.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.