Crystal Palace deal Southampton transfer blow - Rangers & Celtic were also interested | OneFootball

Crystal Palace are looking to hijack Southampton's deal to sign Harris Afzal

Southampton are firmly in the mix for promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs this season.

The Saints were hoping to be in contention for a top two finish when they appointed Will Still in the summer, but a difficult start to the campaign led to his dismissal in November.

Tonda Eckert took over as his replacement, and the 33-year-old has overseen their rise back up to sixth in the Championship table.

The Hampshire outfit have seven games left to secure their place inside the top six, with the team also competing in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup against Arsenal this weekend.

Despite the uncertainty over their league status, the club can still get to work planning for the upcoming summer transfer window.

But there is no doubt that a return to the top flight will have a dramatic impact on the kind of player that Southampton could sign this summer.

Crystal Palace look to hijack Southampton’s Harris Afzal deal

It has been reported by TEAMtalk that Crystal Palace are looking to hijack Southampton’s deal to sign Harris Afzal.

The Saints were understood to have a bid accepted for the 16-year-old back in February by Scottish side Queen’s Park.

The full-back has yet to make his senior debut, but he has been involved with Sean Crighton’s first team squad in the last couple of months, and he has earned a reputation as a very promising young talent.

It has now been claimed that Crystal Palace have also had an offer accepted by the Scottish Championship side.

A fee of £40,000 from both English clubs has been accepted, and it remains to be seen what decision Afzal will make regarding the next step in his career.

Celtic and Rangers are also both interested in the teenager, but Southampton reportedly held an edge in the race for his signature following a trial period, with Palace now threatening that position.

It’s expected that the player will make a decision on his next club soon, and the Saints will be hoping to secure promotion to the Premier League as a way to boost their chances of securing his signature.

Eckert’s side are sixth in the table with seven games remaining, having won five of their last six in the league.

However, next up for Southampton is a home clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, with the sides set to meet on 4 April in a 8pm kick-off.

Harris Afzal move would be very promising for Southampton

If Southampton can win the race to sign Afzal ahead of Crystal Palace, then it would be a great endorsement of the club’s ability to give younger players an opportunity.

The Saints have produced a lot of young talent over the years, but the chance to sign for a Premier League side will be tempting.

Promotion may not be secured by the time Afzal makes a decision, but it would certainly boost their chances if he waits until after the play-offs and Eckert’s side triumphs.

With the number of clubs circling for his signing, it could prove a real coup for Southampton, even if he is unlikely to go straight into the first team next season.