Source: Crystal Palace taking a closer look at 'exemplary' colossus with affordable clause

According to a report from Football Insider, Crystal Palace are among the clubs interested in signing FC Koln defender Timo Hubers. 

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a gradual upwards trajectory in Germany, having made the move from Hannover 96 to Koln in 2021 as a free agent.

Hubers has since established himself as a regular presence in Steffen Baumgart’s side, making 18 Bundesliga starts this season as Die Geißböcke make a surprise push for Champions League football.

A move to the Premier League could now be a possibility in the upcoming summer transfer window…

As per a recruitment source at Football Insider, Palace – along with Leeds United, Watford and Fulham – are keen on Hubers.

The report claimed that the Eagles are ‘keeping close tabs’ on the player who Hannover sporting director Gerhard Zuber hailed as an ‘exemplary’ professional.

It is also stated that the powerful defender has a £6.7m release clause in his contract and is therefore viewed as an ‘affordable option’ by Patrick Vieira as the Frenchman attempts to strengthen the Selhurst Park ranks.

So far this season, Hubers has earned an outstanding 7.17 Sofascore rating whilst winning 6.3 duels and making 4.7 clearances, 2.2 tackles and 2.7 interceptions on average per game from his 18 Bundesliga outings.

Vieira has a well-established centre-back partnership at Selhurst Park, with Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi performing admirably at the heart of the defence. However, beyond the first-choice duo, the Eagles’ squad is not blessed with an abundance of options in that regard.

Signing the German for the mooted £6.7m fee would add some welcome centre-back depth and competition, whilst also leaving money in the budget to strengthen the squad elsewhere.

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