Crystal Palace have moved into the race for David Affengruber and are now working on a deal to sign the Elche defender.
The Eagles have arrived late, but the path has opened up after Southampton failed with their own attempt. The Saints pushed hard for the Austrian and Affengruber turned them down.
Sky Sport Austria has the latest on the situation. They say Palace are now working on signing the 25-year-old before Tuesday’s deadline. And there isn’t much time left to get it done.
Palace now working on Affengruber deal
Southampton had looked like Affengruber’s most likely English destination earlier on Monday. They wanted the centre-back badly and, according to Sky Sport Austria, made an intense effort to convince him.
Affengruber wasn’t interested. Sky says the Austria international decided against joining Southampton, despite their late push.
That’s where Crystal Palace come in. The same source says the Eagles are “working on” signing Affengruber. Spanish local outlet TodoAlicante doubles down on that saying Palace have entered the picture “strongly”.
Elche looking for €10-12m
Getting an agreement with Elche may be the easier part. Estadio Deportivo, detailing Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri’s claim, says Southampton had already opened negotiations with the Spanish club.
A transfer could be agreed at around €10m (£8.7m), although Elche would prefer €12m (£10.4m).
TodoAlicante gives the same range. They say talks could bring the price down towards €10m (£8.7m).
There’s a pretty obvious reason Elche are willing to talk. Affengruber’s contract expires in June 2027 and the club have tried several times to renew it.
Elche director general Pedro Schinocca confirmed weeks ago that offers had been made. Affengruber wanted to wait until the end of the window before deciding what to do.
If he doesn’t renew, this is realistically Elche’s last chance to collect a big fee for him. They also signed Affengruber for nothing from Sturm Graz in 2024. Selling him for €10-12m (£8.7-10.4m) would therefore represent a very healthy profit.
Palace have little time to finish it
Affengruber’s value has shot up during his two years in Spain. He became one of Elche’s most important defenders and was one of La Liga’s standout centre-backs last season.
That form earned him a place in Austria’s World Cup squad this summer. Austria reached the last 32, although Affengruber didn’t play at the tournament.
He has started all three of Elche’s league matches this season and played every minute.
Things haven’t gone quite as smoothly this time. TodoAlicante says he hasn’t shown the same security as last season, while Elche have taken just one point from nine and conceded nine goals.
The uncertainty around his future has followed him into the opening weeks. Affengruber remains an important part of manager Martin Anselmi’s back three, so losing him now would also create a problem for Elche.
They are already looking to bring in another centre-back before the deadline. Selling Affengruber would make that search even more urgent.
Palace now need to see if they can succeed where Southampton failed and convince Affengruber to make the move to England.
