Crystal Palace set to miss out on Bundesliga transfer target

Although still in the midst of finding a new coach, Patrick Vieira does look close to arriving as the new Eagles manager. Fans will be excited to see a young coach with a high pedigree within the English game arriving. Though worries over his lack of success in Nice might worry some, Vieira is an authoritative figure with an enigmatic presence. However, if the Frenchman does sign on, he might not be able to count on the services of a long-term Palace target in Sebastiaan Bornauw. The FC Cologne player looks set to stay in Germany, with his heart seemingly set on a move to Wolfsburg.

Bornauw, of course, is beloved by Cologne fans after scoring the goal that kept them in the top-flight last year. The Belgian international, though, is keen on a new start and would like to move on from Cologne. Despite becoming a regular there and establishing himself as a top league level talent, Bornauw is ready to leave and make a new adventure. Premier League teams, including Palace, were believed to be confident on making the signing stick.

However, a lack of appetite to try out the Premier League means that, instead, the Wolves look set to win this one over the Eagles. With the draw of UEFA Champions League football, it is easy to see why Palace might not be able to compete with the potential for seasonal improvement.

Why is Sebastiaan Bornauw staying in Germany?

For one, the UCL participation is a hard one to overcome. So, too, is the lack of any real connection to the club. While talk did exist of Lucien Favre taking over the Palace job, that fell through for personal reasons. That would have, though, provided Palace with a respected coach at Bundesliga level who could have played a key role in overcoming any differences between the two parties.

However, in trying to land a spot in the Red Devils national team, playing in Europe is almost essential. Therefore, it makes sense that the player might prefer to see a move to Wolfsburg take place as opposed to head to England.

The managerial situation, though, is almost certainly making it hard for Palace to get things done. Players want to believe in a project, and being able to convince a player to arrive in South London revolves around being able to show them a project. Eagles fans were used to having the clout of a former England manager in Roy Hodgson there to convince players and signings to get involved; that is no longer the case.

The arrival of a relative rookie in Vieira might be exciting, but it might also play further into the risk of signings not coming. Fearful of a potentially poor season, Palace will be keen to hit the ground running, land targets, and make things stick. The club cannot go through another ‘era’ as it did with Frank de Boer; even if it means missing out on quality international talents like Bornauw.