Benfica are having a hard time signing Lukas Hradecky from Eintracht Frankfurt. As reported by Portuguese newspaper A Bola today, the goalkeeper has asked for a salary of €2m net per year, something the Eagles aren’t keen on paying.
It means they are now more likely to go for the other option, who is Jeroen Zoet from PSV. The Dutchman, who has also been linked to Crystal Palace, would cost around €5m, according to the outlet.
In case Palace really go for him, there will be an interesting battle coming. Especially because the player would have to choose between fighting for the Portuguese league title and playing in the Champions League, or joining a Premier League side who won’t be pushing for such glories.
But there’s also the issue of salary. If Benfica don’t want to pay €2m per season to their first option, they are unlikely to do it for Zoet.
And how much can Crystal Palace offer? The wage requested doesn’t sound impossible for a Premier League club, and that’s an advantage the London side would certainly have.
Crystal Palace are seen as genuine competition in Portugal, mentioned in most articles covering Benfica’s chase.
