Crystal Palace are late favourites to sign Arsenal defender Rob Holding before tonight’s transfer deadline as Eagles look to strengthen defensively

Crystal Palace are a late favorite to sign Arsenal defender Rob Holding ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline as Eagles look to beef up defensively

  • Crystal Palace hopes to sign Rob Holding before the window closes
  • Transfer News LIVE – The latest news on Deadline Day of the summer window
  • Special transfer deadline – Watch the Mail Sport LIVE show for all the latest news

Crystal Palace have emerged as the main contenders to sign Arsenal defender Rob Holding on a permanent contract before tonight’s transfer deadline.

Central defender Holding was one of the players Arsenal was open to during this period.

He has been in the interest of clubs from England, Italy and Spain this summer, but the Selhurst Park club are increasingly hoping to bolster their defensive capabilities by securing the 27-year-old.

Besiktas emerged as a potential destination for the former England youth international, with the club reportedly considering a move.

The Turkish giants eventually tried to sign Holding on a permanent basis, submitting a £2 million bid in July, which was rejected by the Gunners.

Crystal Palace are looking forward to a late move from disgraced Arsenal defender Rob Holding

The 27-year-old played 24 games in all competitions for Mikel Arteta's side last season

The 27-year-old played 24 games in all competitions for Mikel Arteta’s side last season

Arsène Wenger brought Holding to the Emirates in 2016 for a £2 million fee from Bolton.

Holding would make an immediate impact at the club, playing the full 90 minutes of Arsenal’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea in his first campaign.

The defender would claim his second FA Cup winners’ medal in 2020 and has more than 150 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Should Holding make the move to Selhurst Park this summer, he would become the fourth signing for the Eagles, following Matheus Faranca, Dean Henderson and Jefferson Lerma.

IT ALL GOES OFF!

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show every week today and this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple music And Spotify


How some of the Matildas biggest stars are in line