Crystal Palace are eyeing up Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen as a potential replacement for wantaway goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, according to the Daily Mail.
The Premier League side travelled to the United States for their pre-season tour but the Spanish keeper did not go with the rest of the squad, leading to an open and honest explanation from manager Roy Hodgson upon return.
Speaking to Swedish media outlet Viaplay, the legendary coach said [quotes via The Guardian]:
“Guaita is disenchanted with the club and has said he would like to move on.
“He’s refused to play in our games so far.”
Palace have identified the Foxes’ Iversen as the perfect replacement for Guaita should he exit the club before the transfer window shuts, although Southampton’s Alex McCarthy is also on the list.
A ‘special’ goalkeeper
Iversen signed for Leicester City back in 2016 as a youngster, the same year Claudio Ranieri’s men pulled out of an unthinkable title victory.
The Danish shot-stopper spent time on loan with Oldham Athletic in League Two and even Rotherham United in League One but became Leicester’s first-choice goalkeeper towards the back end of last season.
The 26-year-old was in goal for one of the most tremendous games of football from the entire campaign – a 2-2 draw with Everton at the King Power Stadium where Iversen was in outstanding form, leading former Northern Ireland head coach Ian Baraclough to offer some special words for the man between the sticks.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester’s When You’re Smiling Podcast, Baraclough said [quotes via the BBC]:
“He gives defenders a bit of insurance that there’s somebody behind them in good form.
“He’s in a good frame of mind. He’s spent four, five years at the club. He’s been patient, going out on loan and has been a great trainer.
“He deserves his chance and he’s taken it. Leicester have another special ‘keeper on their hands.”
Writer’s View
Brendan Rodgers fancied Danny Ward in goal for large parts of last term, despite the Welshman’s poor form being a major talking point during the Foxes’ relegation campaign.
Dean Smith made the decision to make Iversen the starting number ‘1’ but it was a little too late by then. The team’s doom had been confirmed.
Nonetheless, Iversen did himself and his reputation no harm and Crystal Palace will be picking up an excellent keeper should this signing come to fruition.
Deputy Head of Writing
