Crystal Palace's efforts to bolster their defensive lineup during the January transfer window have come to light, with Lyon defender Ruben Kluivert confirming the club's interest in a move for him. According to reports from Ouest-France, the Eagles targeted Kluivert earlier this winter, but the deal ultimately fell through, leaving the player to remain in France.
Kluivert's Response to Palace's Interest
In an interview with Ouest-France, Kluivert described the late approach from Crystal Palace as 'confusing'. He expressed his happiness and commitment to Lyon, stating, 'I'm happy to be here, 100% committed to this project in Lyon. We're still in the Europa League and the Coupe de France, we have a lot of games to play with a really superb squad, and I'm convinced we can go far in all these competitions.'
Kluivert acknowledged that the Premier League remains a dream for him but emphasized his preference for how things turned out, praising Lyon's decision to retain him. He added, 'The club made the right choice. I signed a five-year contract with Lyon, and I see myself staying for at least another two or three years. The fact that they wanted to keep me here was a relief.'
Background on Ruben Kluivert
Ruben Kluivert, a 24-year-old Dutch defender, joined Lyon in July last year on a long-term contract that expires in 2030. Since his arrival, he has become a key player for the Ligue 1 outfit, making 19 appearances across all competitions this season, including 11 in the league. He has contributed two goals and two assists from his defensive position.
Kluivert is versatile, capable of playing as a left-back or in central defense. His career began in the Netherlands with spells at FC Utrecht and FC Dordrecht before moving to Casa Pia in Lisbon in 2024. After a year in Portugal, Lyon secured his services, and he has since established himself as a valuable asset for the club.
Crystal Palace's Current Situation
Under manager Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League table after 27 fixtures, with 11 matches remaining in the season. The South London club recently secured a 1-0 home victory against Wolves.
It is speculated that Kluivert was identified as a potential replacement for Marc Guehi, who departed for Manchester City last month. However, with Kluivert's contract running until 2030, Lyon is under no immediate pressure to sell, allowing them to hold out for a significant transfer fee if a deal were to materialize in the future.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Crystal Palace will have another opportunity to pursue new signings, but for now, Kluivert remains focused on Lyon's ongoing campaigns in European and domestic competitions.
