Crystal Palace transfer news: Yeremy Pino ‘verbal agreement reached’ for potential club-record move after Eberechi Eze exit

Crystal Palace have reportedly reached an agreement with Villarreal to sign winger Yeremy Pino.

The Eagles are in the market for attacking reinforcements after selling star man Eberechi Eze to Arsenal for £67.5m last weekend.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Palace had entered advanced talks with Villarreal over a deal to sign Pino, and they have now made a breakthrough in negotiations.

It is now understood that a verbal agreement is in place between all parties involved in the deal, with Palace set to pay a €30m (£25.9m) fixed fee plus add-ons.

Should the add-ons take the deal beyond the £27m that Palace bought former striker Christian Benteke for in August 2016, Pino will become the Eagles’ club-record signing.

Pino is said to have already given the green light to join Palace and has agreed a long-term deal, with a medical expected to be scheduled in due course before he can finalise his move to Selhurst Park.

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Pino set to secure Premier League move after years of speculation

Born in Las Palmas, Pino made his professional debut for Villarreal under the tutelage of Unai Emery in October 2020 and he quickly established himself as one of the club’s brightest prospects.

The 5ft 8in skilful winger has caught the eye of a number of top Premier League clubs over the years, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea among those said to have previously held an interest in the youngster.

A big-money move ultimately did not materialise for Pino, who turns 23 in October and has amassed 170 first-team appearances for Villarreal across all competitions, scoring 22 goals and providing 23 assists as a key player for the La Liga outfit.

The 2020-21 Europa League winner has been capped 15 times at international level by Spain and he was part of the squad that won the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.

Pino is now seemingly ready to take the next step in his career and secure his long-awaited move to the Premier League with Crystal Palace, who are hoping to qualify for the League Phase of the Conference League.

Oliver Glasner’s side, who have never qualified for European competition before, currently boast a 1-0 first-leg advantage in their playoff tie with Fredrikstad and they travel to Norway for the second leg on Thursday.