3 Arsenal signings Patrick Vieira could make as Crystal Palace manager

Patrick Vieira is back in the Premier League and no, it isn’t as Arsenal manager in either 2018 or 2019, it’s as Crystal Palace boss after an agreement was reached for him to become Roy Hodgson’s successor.

Working as a pundit for ITV late into Monday night as France were knocked out of the European Championships at the hands of Switzerland, unbeknownst to most, Vieira had already agreed to take over the reins at Selhurst Park.

As Arsenal work hard to complete deals in the transfer window, one of their greatest ever will become an opponent for two matches in the calendar as The Athletic revealed his imminent arrival as Eagles boss.

It’s a huge move for him in his career, but above all, a daunting one. Crystal Palace have 12 senior players out on contract on June 30, seven of whom were regular starters for the club in last season’s campaign. Add to that the best chance of accruing any significant money for Wilfried Zaha passing by within the past two years and an extremely limited budget, and you do fear for the Frenchman.

3 Arsenal signings Patrick Vieira could make as Crystal Palace manager in the summer transfer window

This is where Arsenal could offer a ‘you scratch our back, we’ll scratch yours’ scenario. With a whole host of players in north London set for the exit doors, there are a few names who will be available for loan deals. There is no beating around the bush, Palace need bodies in.

Having become apparent that William Saliba will not be playing his football at Arsenal next season and another loan move could be sanctioned, it becomes essential that his next move, if he is to salvage any hope of a Gunners future, must be in the Premier League.

As it stands, centre-back trio Mamadou Sakho, Scott Dann and Gary Cahill are all out of contract on June 30.

Elsewhere in England Newcastle are keeping close tabs on Saliba’s situation and pushing for a move, as is half of Europe. Lille, Lyon, Marseille and Nice are among the Ligue 1 clubs chasing his signature, but it’s now time he got a taste of football on these shores.

Of course, Vieira may not want him. There is that rather glaring caveat. There is also a question of environment to consider and just because an Invincible has taken the reins at a club does not immediately ensure this is the perfect fit.

On paper, however, it does look like a deal that would suit all. Throw in the addition of a French coach and it may be a good step for Saliba – beyond the obvious that is, which would be staying at Arsenal and being given a chance.

Could more make the move south of the Thames?

Continued…

Ainsley Maitland-Niles or Reiss Nelson Could Join Vieira at Crystal Palace

Again, with the same caveats as before, the players who could head south have to be both wanted and suitable to the situation at Crystal Palace.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, however, is being tracked by the Eagles with links being prevalent before Vieira’s imminent announcement.

The club are ‘closely monitoring’ his situation and while not the exact same roles, Maitland-Niles would surely be intrigued by the prospect of playing under a central midfielder who is one of the great Arsenal legends.

Premier League rules stringently state that no club can have more than one player on loan from the same club at any given time, which is why Maitland-Niles would be an interesting option due his departure from Arsenal this summer almost certain to be a permanent deal.

Palace are set to lose three right-backs this summer unless new deals can be arranged, which while not Maitland-Niles’ preference, will have contributed to Palace’s heightened interest. Vieira will surely be informed of the club’s stance on that deal.

If Saliba were to be of interest to Palace it would end chances of Reiss Nelson joining on loan, someone who is attracting interest predominantly from the Bundesliga.

However, in the Gunners’ case, an English loan for Nelson would be the ideal solution. Getting him a full top-flight season under his belt for the first time in his career will do wonders for his value, and his future.

With two years left on his deal he will have a huge chance to boost his value, and if not, it’s hardly going to drop much further than it already is. It can’t, really.

Eberechi Eze suffered a dreadful Achilles injury towards the end of last season and Vieira will need another exciting wide player to soften that blow, while current wingers Andros Townsend and Jeffrey Schlupp are also, you guessed it, out of contract on June 30. If a season-long loan could be agreed and all parties were interested, it should be explored.

There are plenty of variables to consider in any of the three deals before serious movement can happen, but it becomes a greater possibility. For instance, Vieira’s record is hardly awe-inspiring and it has to be considered whether he can improve whoever may join Palace on loan, whether that be Saliba or Nelson – and realistically how likely is he to see out the season?

No disrespect to either Vieira or Palace, but it’s one hell of a job for whoever takes over.

Far from a simple ‘oh it’s Vieira he’s free pick of our players, knock yourself out’, there is scope for some business to be done here. Worth exploring at the very least.