Crystal Palace are plotting a move for Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ryan Manning this summer. According to recent reports, the Eagles are prepared to make a swoop for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international when the transfer window opens in the summer. The 21-year-old has put in some sensational displays for QPR during the course of this campaign which has caught the attention of the Roy Hodgson’s Palace side ahead of the summer transfer period.
It is believed that the Premier League side are keeping tabs on Manning’s development at Loftus Road. Some sources are also claiming that the Eagles are set to go head to head with Celtic in pursuit of the Championship youngster’s signature in the off-season.
Manning has made 18 appearances for the Hoops this season, finding the back of the net twice while grabbing one assist in all competitions. He managed to break into the QPR first-team last year but has been a sporadic feature under Ian Holloway this season. The 21-year-old is also playing an integral part for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 team in their quest to qualify for the Under-21s European Championship finals for the first time in his country’s history.
Palace are currently occupying the 16th spot in the Premier League rankings with a tally of 34 points in 34 league matches. They find themselves just six points above the drop zone with just four matches left in this campaign. It looks highly likely that they will survive and beat the drop this season but Roy Hodgson would be well aware that he needs to bring in some quality players in the summer to try and avoid getting themselves in relegation trouble next term.
The potential signing of Manning will undoubtedly bolster Hodgson’s midfield options as they look to establish themselves in the Premier League next season. Crystal Palace have the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Luka Milivojević, James McArthur, Lee Chung-Yong and Ruben Loftus-Cheek vying for a place in Hodgson’s starting eleven. The acquisition of the Republic of Ireland attacking midfielder will definitely add more competition for places in the Eagles squad.
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Manning is highly versatile and can operate in a number of different positions across the midfield. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder in the number 10 position but can also be deployed in the holding midfield role or down the left flank which makes him an ideal fit for any of his potential suitors. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Manning and whether he ends up making a switch to Selhurst Park in the near future.
