Crystal Palace

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima should Maxence Lacroix join Chelsea.

The former France youth international, 24, is open to a move to Selhurst Park, where he would work under compatriot Pierre Sage.

Palace are understood to be considering other options should a deal fail to materialise. The move comes as Chelsea continue negotiations with the Eagles over Lacroix.

There remains a gap in valuation between the two clubs, although Lacroix is understood to have given the green light to the move following France's defeat by England in the World Cup third-place play-off.

Matsima previously had spells at Monaco, Clermont Foot and Lorient in France and has made one senior appearance for his country.

If it happens, he would be Palace's second signing of the summer after fellow defender Oscar Mingueza joined from Celta Vigo.

Crystsal Palace are in talks with Chelsea over French centre-back Axel Disasi, 28. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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We asked you to pick one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want Crystal Palace to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Here are some of your suggestions:

George: We need to move on Jean-Philippe Mateta. He's had his heroic moment, but last January has left a rough taste. I would like Jadon Sancho on a free, but we are more likely to go for Antonio Nusa.

Jesse: I think we should sell Mateta. He doesn't want to be here and, quite frankly, we don't need him. We already have two strikers and Strand Larsen is good enough. The profits would benefit us significantly with the new stadium and signing new players. I think we should sign a new centre-back. It looks like Lacroix is going and, right now, we look pretty weak with Richards, Canvot and Riad as our main centre-backs. Someone like Joel Ordonez or Ousmane Diomande would be great signings, and they wouldn't be too expensive.

Lex: I'm not sure who to pick as a realistic target, but we should definitely get rid of Brennan Johnson and not loan out Matheus Franca. He has shown just how much fitter and bigger he has got, so he should be just right for the Premier League this season.

Sean: Get rid of (the extremely lightweight) Johnson and Strand Larsen, neither of whom showed any real desire to play for the club and were a colossal waste of money. Buy any of the Cape Verde or Moroccan forward line players, who showed real guts and determination, and can score against the top teams on the biggest stage in world football.

Now the dust has settled on the 2026 World Cup, you can officially review your Predictor results for the tournament.

If you played more than four rounds, BBC Sport has done a deep dive into your predictions, tournament performance and compared you to other players.

Don't worry, though, Predictor isn't stopping at international tournaments! Pre-season has kicked off and there are plenty of friendlies and European qualifiers to keep us occupied before the new season gets under way.

So how do you fancy your chances of correctly predicting the scores for our six selected matches every week?

BBC Sport has launched a new weekly Predictor game to cover the 2026-27 season, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from six fixtures from across the leagues.

There will usually be a Friday deadline and the game will also feature streaks, so make sure to build it into your weekly football habits.

Lock in your first round of predictions before Friday, 24 July here

If you're wondering how to play, here are a few easy steps:

• Click on the link above to take you to the selections page.

• For every match, you either choose a winning team or select a draw - once your prediction has been submitted you won't be able to change it, so be sure to pick carefully.

• Then wait for the results to roll in to see how you have done.

• Share your results with your friends and family.

• Every consecutive round you play adds one to your streak, but if you miss a round then your streak will reset to zero.

Mohamed Moallim
BBC Sport Journalist

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The Premier League's financial landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. Since 2016 total summer transfer spending has risen from £1.16bn to a record £3.19bn in 2025 – an increase of almost 175%.

On the surface, that suggests transfer figures are continuing to accelerate. Headline fees, though, tell only part of the story.

Research by Kieran Maguire and colleagues at the University of Liverpool suggests some of the Premier League's earlier record signings represented even greater investments when measured against clubs' buying power at the time.

Using Premier League broadcasting revenues as an index, Alan Shearer's £15m move from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United in 1996 remains the league's biggest transfer relative to clubs' spending power. Rio Ferdinand's £29.1m move to Manchester United in 2002 and Juan Sebastian Veron's £28.1m arrival at Old Trafford in 2001 also rank above any of this summer's blockbuster deals.

The same model suggests Trevor Francis' £1m move from Birmingham City to Forest in 1979 – English football's first £1m transfer – would equate to about £173m in today's market.

That does not mean the fees paid for Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali were modest. Rather, it reflects how dramatically Premier League revenues have grown, allowing clubs to spend sums that would once have been unimaginable.

When Jack Grealish became Britain's first £100m footballer when joining City from Villa in 2021, the transfer marked another turning point in the evolution of the market.

Only five years later, nine-figure deals are no longer viewed as extraordinary. They have become a familiar feature of Premier League transfer windows.

The next milestone may not be far away.

While no Premier League club has yet paid £200m for a player, football's financial ceiling continues to rise and the first transfer of that magnitude no longer feels beyond the realms of possibility.

• Read more on transfer fee evolution

With the 2026 World Cup done and dusted, the return of club football is back on everyone's minds.

Pre-season preparations are under way and we want you to have a think about Crystal Palace's squad.

Tell us one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want the Eagles to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Get in touch with your views here

Chelsea have accelerated their interest in defender Maxence Lacroix after a fresh round of talks with Crystal Palace.

The proposed deal is being handled by the ownership of both clubs, with the latest discussions described as positive.

Palace have been keen to offer Lacroix - who has three years to run on his existing deal - a new contract, but the player is keen for a new challenge.

It is understood The Eagles want a deal worth a minimum £60m for the 26-year-old and have started looking at potential replacements, with Ausburg's Chrislain Matsima among the players monitored.

Read more

Image source, Getty Images

Thirty-four years ago a £13m transfer caused national outrage in Italy.

When AC Milan signed Gianluigi Lentini from Torino in 1992 for a then world record fee, newspapers called the deal "obscene", while the Vatican's official newspaper described it as "an offence against the dignity of work".

Today that fee would barely register among the Premier League's biggest transfers.

This summer alone Chelsea have agreed a club record £117m deal for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Manchester City paid Nottingham Forest £116m for Elliot Anderson, and Tottenham spent a club record £100m on Sandro Tonali.

These are not the only major deals. Tottenham also agreed an £85m move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, Barcelona paid £69m to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, and Manchester United spent £50m on Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos.

It is the first transfer window in Premier League history to produce three £100m-plus signings - and there are still weeks to go before deadline day on 1 September.

During the 2025 summer window English top-flight clubs spent a record £3bn.

So why are transfer fees continuing to climb? Why are clubs paying record sums for players already playing in England? And why are more clubs willing to sell some of their biggest stars?

Read more here on the big spending taking place in the Premier League

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace have congratulated Yeremy Pino after he became the club's first active player to win the World Cup.

Pino did not feature in Sunday's final as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time but he did play on two occasions during the group stage of the tournament.

His success follows European joy with the Eagles given their triumph in the Uefa Conference League.

The club wrote on its official website: "Everyone at Palace sends their congratulations to Yéremy!"

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace's first pre-season game saw Eddie Nketiah and Matheus Franca find the net in a dominant 5-1 win over Swindon Town.

Palace manager Pierre Sage shared his thoughts post-match, having taken over at Selhurst Park in June.

Giving his verdict to Palace TV after the win, external, Sage said: "I'm OK with the second-half, we did what we decided to do.

"We had problems with the ball and I think we have to work on this to be better.

"But at the moment the players are only able to play 15-20 minutes at the top level. It's only the first week, so we need more sessions.

"We've only had five sessions together. And we won't have just five anymore, so I think the next game will be better.

"We have possibilities to play together over the coming weeks. That's a good thing for the team.

"During Como [later this month] we will play two games there with less sessions. That game will replace the training for this kind of competition.

"But we have a good condition. We have a group who want to work with us, I think they give their best every day.

"I think this a good way to improve, both as players and as the team. I think we will continue like this."

European champions Spain broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina in extra-time to win their second ever World Cup in New Jersey.

Barcelona's Ferran Torres was the difference maker in what was an overall disappointing final that was littered with interruptions.

Spain created the best opportunities against the defending world champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra time.

Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams' header to beat Argentina and Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.

Seven Premier League players will now return to their five respective clubs for the new 2026-27 season having won the biggest honour in world football.

Chelsea have held formal talks with Crystal Palace over a move for France defender Maxence Lacroix with the Eagles valuing the 26-year-old at around £55m. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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It's European versus world champions in Sunday's World Cup final as Spain face Argentina - live on the BBC from 19:00 BST.

Crystal Palace winger Yeremy Pino has not featured for Spain since suffering an acromioclavicular sprain in the final group game against Uruguay, but is available should he be called upon by Luis de la Fuente.

Pino was not part of the winning Euro 2024 squad because of an ACL tear in November 2023.

But should Spain beat three-time champions Argentina, Pino will have won four major senior trophies, including the Conference League with the Eagles last season.

Watch the World Cup final on the BBC

Image source, Getty Images

With pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us the one thing you're looking forward to about club football returning.

Here are some of your replies:

Haris: A new manager, some new faces, the Europa League. Should player fitness not be an issue, I reckon a top half finish is a go!

Simon: The Europa League draw! We have been waiting for that one since our FA Cup win in 2024-25! Hopefully we don't lose any of our key first team players too.

Sam: I'm excited to see Adam Wharton play, something England could have really done with at the World Cup!

Lee: I'm looking forward to being with my friends who I've been going to Palace home and away with for many years. I'm hoping that Pierre Sage will pick up where the former manager left off. Plus I'm excited to finally be in the Europa League, where we should have been in the first place. Hopefully we will have a good run in all the cups and an improvement in our league position.

Rob: There are a lot of changes, especially with a new manager coming in. I'm very excited by the prospect of the Europa League and the possibility of seeing some bigger name European teams at Selhurst Park.

Image source, CPFC

Crystal Palace's 2026-27 home kit launch marks the return of the iconic sash, 50 years on from its first introduction in 1976.

It's a modern twist on a classic design with the sash "a symbol of identity, continuity and resilience through change", according to club statement.

In keeping with the retro feel, the kit features a circular club crest originally used from 1973 to 1987.

It is paired with white shorts that have a red and blue trim running down the side and white socks with red and blue hoop detail.

Crystal Palace and Argentina goalkeeper Walter Benitez, 33, could terminate his Palace contract in order to return to Nice. (Nice-Matin - in French), external

Crystal Palace are interested in signing Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima, 24, with the Frenchman one of a number of centre-back options under consideration. (Standard), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Oliver Glasner understands Crystal Palace fans will be upset by his move to Nottingham Forest.

The former Eagles boss joined Forest on a three-year deal this month after leaving Selhurst Park at the end of last season.

The two teams have struck up a rivalry since Forest took Palace's place in the Europa League last term.

Eagles fans were unhappy with Forest's involvement in their demotion from the Europa League to Conference League for breaching multi-ownership rules, with Forest expressing their concerns to Uefa.

Glasner ended up guiding Palace to the Conference League title - 12 months after winning the FA Cup - and recognises how some supporters will feel about the move.

"I always can understand what people are thinking, their own motivation, their own thoughts and that's what I completely accept," he said.

"I hope everybody accepts that I can't ask every single one: 'Do you agree with my decision?' Because then I don't know where I would end.

"That's why I have to take my own decision for my family and for myself, and it was also enough to convince my family to leave again. It was probably the hardest part of this decision.

"I always try to understand everybody. This also gives me a different view. I like some feedback and sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't agree, but yes, I can understand this.

"I had two and a half fantastic years at Palace - an amazing time, amazing connections to the players and staff, to the chairman, owners and fans. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible to win three trophies.

"I'm really pleased to have been part of it but now a new chapter begins with a new book to write at Forest."

The World Cup has done a fantastic job of filling the Premier League void, but there is nothing quite like club football.

As the tournament in North America heads towards its climax and England supporters' disappointment sinks in, there is a Crystal Palace fanbase waiting for the 2026-27 season with anticipation.

So, it has got us thinking: what are you looking forward to most about club football resuming?

Get in touch here

When the World Cup ends, regardless of who wins, we'll still have loads of great content every day as we build up to the new Premier League season.

We're already working on some exciting new things for 2026-27.

As well as all the fallout and reaction to the tournament, we'll quickly shift back towards club football, with pre-season coverage and all the latest transfer gossip and stories.

BBC Sport and teams across BBC Nations and Regions cover all 20 Premier League sides and we have dedicated club reporters, who will be travelling to bring you behind-the-scenes insights from pre-season tours.

We'll also have live pages for selected pre-season matches, as well as in-depth features and storytelling, giving you the latest updates before the new campaign.

Once the World Cup ends, some of the standout players will be hot property in the transfer market, with top clubs chasing their signatures.

Our reporters, including senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, will be breaking the big transfer stories on our website and app.

We'll also have our daily transfer gossip column, wrapping up all the rumours from across the football world.

For fans of World Cup Predictor, a new weekly game will be launching immediately after the tournament, with five fixtures a week to predict the outcomes of. You'll be able to build up your streaks and share your results with friends and family.

Our quizzes will also continue to be available to play so you can test your knowledge of the beautiful game.

Our new Shorts tab in the BBC Sport app will be the home of sport videos with content throughout the week from your club, including explainers, pundit analysis, interviews and behind-the-scenes content. We'll also be starting to include more reaction from fans so you can see the latest hot takes and debate the biggest talking points from your club.

Live pages are going to get bigger and better with more interactive elements, more conversation and improved functionality. They'll have BBC Radio 5 Live audio commentaries for the Premier League and Champions League, as well as live video for FA Cup.

Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.

Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.

And when following your Premier League team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications, which give you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.

Read more about what content you can expect here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on which players you're most excited to see in action during pre-season.

Here are some of your comments:

Robert: I'm looking forward to seeing fringe players previously out on loan, such as Danny Imray, David Ozoh and Matheus Franca, to see how they've progressed and if they may become genuine first-team squad options.

Al: Ozoh and Cheick Doucoure for me. We have missed Doucoure and Ozoh is a dynamic player in the making who we cannot afford to let go. Hopefully Pierre Sage will see his potential too.

Hector: I'm going to the Bromley away game and would love to see how we set up under Sage. It will be a first glimpse of how we are going to play throughout the season. I would also love to see some youth given a chance - Romain Esse, George King and Joel Drakes-Thomas.

John: Danny Imray after very positive loan moves.