Sources: Everton, Crystal Palace and Wolves all converge on free-agent midfielder with Ligue 1 winners’ medal
Everton, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United are the Premier League sides who have shown a strong interest in Portuguese free agent Xeka, TEAMtalk understands.
Xeka is a 28-year-old central midfielder who represented Portugal U20s earlier in his career. He joined Lille permanently in July 2017, following an initial loan, and went on to play 144 times for the French outfit.
Xeka even has a Ligue 1 winners’ medal to his name, having made 33 appearances during Lille’s shock triumph over usual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the 2020-21 season.
Xeka’s Lille contract expired last summer and he went on to spend the 2022-23 campaign with Rennes, though he suffered a turbulent time there and had to undergo ankle surgery in January.
The former Braga man is once again a free agent and TEAMtalk understands Everton, Palace, Wolves and Sheff Utd are all vying to sign him. However, it is not just top-flight clubs who are in the mix. From the Championship, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion have also made enquiries to his agent.
Xeka is also being offered the chance to continue playing in France by Ligue 1 sides. Plus, there is interest from clubs in Italy, Spain and Turkey.
Meanwhile, a pundit has expressed his shock that neither Manchester United or Chelsea took concrete steps towards signing an Everton star in the summer.
‘We hope it’s not too bad’: International manager provides injury update on ‘brilliant’ Crystal Palace player
England manager Gareth Southgate has provided an update on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi after the player was subbed off at half-time last night.
It was exciting for Crystal Palace fans to see three players called up to the England squad in Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Sam Johnstone.
Guehi played the full 90 minutes on Saturday in Ukraine and then was in the starting lineup last night to face Scotland. The centre-back looked solid but failed to return after half-time.
Before the second-half started, Guehi was replaced by Harry Maguire. In his press conference after the game, Southgate shared why this happened.
Gareth Southgate provides update on Marc Guehi
The 23 year-old defender is massively important to Palace. His importance is so crucial that he has been given the captain’s armband on may occasions.
Speaking in his press conference after the 3-1 victory over Scotland, Southgate was asked about whether he took of Guehi due to injury. He said: “Yes, he was just feeling something at half-time. We hope it’s not too bad but he was not able to carry on.”
He is a ‘brilliant‘ defender and the fact that it looks like he has managed to cement his place into the England squad at such a young age highlights how good he is.
The Eagles have had a good start to the season and have managed seven points from their first four games so far this campaign.
It is no doubt a blow for the Premier League club to hear Southgate say Guehi had a minor knock and that he is hoping it’s not a bad injury.
Guehi and fellow centre-back have a top partnership and with the club playing Aston Villa in a couple of days, the next injury update is crucial.
Hopefully the Englishman will be fit for the game on the weekend and if he is then it will be a huge boost for the club as they look to build momentum off of a great start.
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