Who could Port Vale’s “second” Crystal Palace target be?
Chairman Norman Smurthwaite said that he would be in discussions with Crystal Palace about the loan signing of Ryan Inniss and another unnamed player this weekend.
Smurthwaite has been invited to Palace’s final home game of the season where he will discuss the moves with his counterpart Steve Parish.
The identity of the potential second signing is unknown…
Vale’s interest in Inniss is well-known. A reported £600,000 compensation fee would appear to rule out a permanent move but a season-long loan move would, in Smurthwaite’s words “help all parties.”
However, the identity of the potential second signing is unknown and Smurthwaite said he is unsure if the club will even sign another player commenting that “he may or may not be right, I don’t know yet.”
So, who could that player be? The most likely possibility is another development player like Inniss. Here are some contenders:
Loan transfer?
Inniss is one of six development players offered new deals by Palace. It’s not unlikely that the Eagles would want another of their players to gain first-team football. So, who else was offered a contract?
Luke Croll – A left-sided centre-half. It seems improbable Croll would be the second player as Vale would probably prefer to partner 19 year-old Inniss with a more experienced defensive partner. Unlikely.
Jerome Binnom-Williams – Perhaps the most likely player that Palace would like to loan out. He’s just signed a new contract and is currently on loan with League Two Southend United having had a previous spell with Forest Green. It’s not unlikely that Palace would seek to get him a loan in a higher division next season. The sticking point is – he’s a left-back and Vale already have Carl Dickinson, Ryan McGivern and Deen Aziz-Conteh under contract all of whom can play in that position. So, again it’s unlikely.
Jake Gray – Born in Aylesbury, the attacking midfielder was signed from Wycombe Wanderers. He has played for the first-team in the Capital Cup and has had a loan spell with Dagenham. Vale could soon be missing Chris Lines, so Gray may be the sort of midfield replacement Rob Page could be looking for. A possibility.
Connor Dymond – A “goalscoring midfielder with leadership qualities” well, with that write-up on the Palace website, who wouldn’t want him? Erm, Vale perhaps, who are potentially well-stocked in central midfield with the likes of player of the year Michael O’Connor and veteran Michael Brown. He could be seen as a useful back-up though. Another possible.
Reise Allassani – A forward who can play on both wings, he may be a good player to bring in if winger Mark Marshall decides to go elsewhere. However, Vale do have the likes of Byron Moore, Ryan Lloyd and Enoch Andoh on their books so would another winger really be needed?
Permanent transfer?
The Eagles have released Kyle de Silva after the player spent many years in their junior ranks. A prolific goalscorer at junior level, Palace have said it’s the right time for the 21 year-old to get regular first-team football. Academy coach Gary Issott says “I’m sure he can play in the Football League.” Could Palace be acting as match makers with Vale?