Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann was linked with a move away this summer as he was reportedly (The Sun, 8 August, page 53) a £6m target for Burnley. The move didn’t go through, but the latest reports (11 August, page 59) from the Sun suggest that Burnley will renew their interest for the English centre back in January.
It doesn’t say how much the Clarets would look to pay in January, but we think that they would probably offer less than £6m as Dann would be in the final few months of his contract by then.
The Eagles faced an uphill task once again in the transfer market as Wilfried Zaha wanted to leave, but he has stayed put at the club for the time being. The club started the season well as they held a much-fancied Everton to a goalless draw at home. Dann played the full 90 minutes and showed that he could still do a top job at the back.
The defender made just 13 appearances in all competitions last season primarily because he was injured for most parts. Dann has the experience of playing in over 200 games in the Premier League, and he is still going strong if his performance in the last few months are to go by.
What should be Hodgson’s play?
The club has brought in Gary Cahill on a free transfer, and once he gets to his hundred percent, one might see him feature regularly. Hodgson is facing some injury issues at the back, and that has been a concern for them as Mamadou Sakho has been injury-prone in his time at the club.
Dann is a reliable player, but any transfer fee offered for him in January might look like a good deal for Palace as he is already in the last few months of his contract. Hodgson will have one final chance to earn a transfer fee for him this way. We think that if Burnley comes up with a bid of £4m odd, then the Eagles should accept it. However, they should look to bring in a replacement straight away.
A much younger and upcoming defender will be a good idea as most of Palace’s first team defenders are close to their thirties. Cahill is 33, Tomkins 30, Sakho and Kelly are both 29. These four are the primary centre back options at the club currently, and Hodgson should eye a younger centre back to replace Dann if he goes on to join Burnley in January.
