Palace Track Former Spurs Defender as £1.2m Clause Attracts Premier League Interest | OneFootball

Crystal Palace Eye Japhet Tanganga Amid Guehi Uncertainty

Tanganga in Palace Sights as Exit Clause Comes into Play

Crystal Palace have emerged as one of four Premier League clubs tracking Millwall’s standout centre-back Japhet Tanganga, according to Express Sport. The 25-year-old defender, who was a key figure at The Den last season, could be available for a cut-price fee due to a smart clause inserted when he joined Millwall permanently.

“Express Sport understands that a £1.2million release clause – available to all Premier League clubs this summer – was part of the package which took him to Millwall. And Palace are one of four top-flight sides in the mix.”

That low fee has caught the eye across the league, with Sunderland, Leeds United, and Burnley all monitoring the situation. But Palace’s status as a settled Premier League club, combined with their South London proximity, gives them an edge in a potentially competitive chase.

Photo IMAGO

Tanganga, a Spurs academy graduate, collected both Millwall’s Supporters’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards after an impressive 43-game campaign that included two goals. Having initially joined on loan before signing permanently after his Tottenham exit, the versatile defender has rebuilt his stock quietly but effectively.

Guehi’s Future Tied to Palace’s Summer Strategy

Palace’s interest in Tanganga is believed to hinge heavily on the future of England international Marc Guehi. With just one year left on his contract and persistent interest from Chelsea and Newcastle, the Eagles are weighing their options carefully.

Oliver Glasner’s side is understood to be making contingency plans. Alongside Tanganga, Palace have been linked with Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande, a significantly costlier option at around £45 million. That stark contrast in potential outlay highlights why Tanganga’s situation is being viewed internally as a market anomaly that deserves serious consideration.

While Diomande may offer more long-term upside, Tanganga represents Premier League experience, affordability, and tactical versatility, all qualities Glasner values.

Summer Transfer Window Still Quiet at Selhurst Park

Despite ending last season with silverware, beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Crystal Palace have yet to make a permanent addition to their squad this summer. Veteran duo Joel Ward and Jeffrey Schlupp have moved on, and Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell has returned to his parent club after a loan spell.

The club’s recruitment strategy remains cautious but calculated. Bringing in Tanganga for just £1.2 million would reflect smart business, especially with the need to bolster the backline if Guehi departs.

Photo IMAGO

Palace also have the futures of Tyrick Mitchell and Jean-Philippe Mateta to resolve. Both have been linked with moves away following standout seasons, and Palace are keen to keep the momentum going after a strong finish.

Tanganga Keen for Resolution

According to Express Sport, Tanganga is not expected to let the situation linger: “It is understood that Tanganga would like his future resolved by the end of the month.” Millwall, who turned down bids far exceeding the release clause in January, now face losing one of their star performers for a fraction of what they could have banked.

For Palace, the opportunity is clear. A proven, hungry defender, available for minimal outlay, and open to staying in London. If Guehi is indeed on the move, Tanganga may well be the first piece of Glasner’s puzzle this summer.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Crystal Palace, this feels like smart planning, and not a moment too soon. Fans have long called for a more proactive stance in the market, and with Guehi likely on the way out, Tanganga is an ideal low-risk replacement.

Yes, the glamour signing might be Diomande, but for a club that prides itself on solid recruitment and budget-conscious moves, Tanganga ticks all the right boxes. He’s got something to prove, he knows London, and he’s just come off the back of his best season yet.

More importantly, Palace need to keep building. The FA Cup win showed what’s possible when belief and structure align. Losing Guehi would sting, no question, but replacing him swiftly with a player like Tanganga would send the right message: that the club is planning, not panicking.

Supporters will hope this is just the beginning of a summer of smart deals, not the highlight. But if Palace want to be more than just top-half dwellers, these are exactly the type of market moves they must act on, before someone else does.