Crystal Palace near agreement to sign Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise

Crystal Palace are closing in on the signing of Anan Khalaili from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, with the move expected to be completed in the coming week. The Athletic has reported the transfer fee to be in the region of £21m.

The 21-year-old plays on the right of midfield and featured regularly for Union SG last season. He made 52 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and registering six assists.

Khalaili is an Israeli international and has experience in European competition, having played for Union SG in the Champions League. Palace expect that European experience to be relevant as they prepare for their Europa League campaign.

The club have been active in the transfer market this summer and have already completed the signings of defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oscar Mingueza on free transfers. Those additions form part of Palace’s broader recruitment ahead of the new season.

BBC Sport reported last week that Palace are also set to sign 19-year-old Real Salt Lake winger Zavier Gozo and that the club had shown interest in Brennan Johnson. Johnson is now set to complete a move to Everton as part of a swap deal involving Dwight McNeil moving in the opposite direction.

If the Khalaili transfer is finalised in the coming week, the signing will arrive ahead of Crystal Palace’s Europa League campaign and add to their summer recruitment.