Crystal Palace have reached new heights after winning the FA Cup on Saturday.
Never before had the Eagles won a major trophy in their entire history, nor had Crystal Palace ever qualified for European football – which has also now happened with UEFA Europa League football on the schedule for Oliver Glasner next season, a man who won the competition with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.
European football will undoubtedly open more doors for Crystal Palace in the transfer market, and Steve Parish – Chairman of the south Londoners – has now made an interesting comment.
Steve Parish says Wembley displays have forced rethink from Crystal Palace transfer target
Speaking to the News Shopper, the man from Forest Hill claims that a transfer target who was previously unsure about a move to Selhurst Park is actually now interested in joining, after seeing Crystal Palace win the FA Cup.
When asked if European football will aid recruitment, Parish said: “It doesn’t hurt, does it? When you are going for players, it’s ‘ah, he wants to play in Europe,’ so of course you’ve got that in your locker.
“We had a player who was maybe not that interested, and they watched the semi-final, and then his agent called us and said he’s watched it and is quite interested in being a part of it.”
“Wembley will shake and it will be beautiful”.
The Crystal Palace display at Wembley today. #CPFC 👏 pic.twitter.com/uJSLa4It2K
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) May 17, 2025
When you see the atmosphere created by Crystal Palace fans against both Aston Villa and Manchester City on the Wembley stage, it should come as no surprise to hear that this mystery player felt moved.
Who Steve Parish could be referring to
There are a couple of players who the 59-year-old could be speaking about.
El Hadji Malick Diouf was a target for Crystal Palace in January, but TBR Football understand the Senegal international wanted to keep his options open and wait until the summer.
This run from Rayan Cherki… 😳
What a goal it would’ve been ⚽
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Tx6h3K566h
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2025
Lyon No.18 Rayan Cherki is also wanted by Crystal Palace, but may have previously been sceptical about a move to SE25 with Liverpool also keen on the Frenchman – so he could be the one swayed by the FA Cup win too.
