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Crystal Palace and Fulham now in direct contact to sign La Liga star

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Published Jun 17, 2026, 8:10 AM GMT+1

Tom is a football journalist with five years of experience. He has been featured in the Non-League Paper, Crawley Observer, Sussex Express and The RedmenTV - producing features, news and conducting interviews.

For Football FanCast, Tom has sat down with a number of names from the industry, including Ally McCoist, Philippe Senderos and Chris Waddle. Elsewhere, he has covered the National League South final, the Formula E London Prix, Crawley Town and Brighton’s U21s.

Tom enjoys writing features about teams in the Football League and Premier League, whilst also receiving the opportunity to conduct interviews on behalf of FFC.

Having written for The RedmenTV, he is particularly an expert on all things Liverpool.

Crystal Palace and Fulham are now set to reignite their rivalry away from the pitch in the race to sign an impressive defender this summer.

Sage "excited" by Crystal Palace move

Whilst the rest of the world have been laser focused on the 2026 World Cup, those in South London have been busy hiring their replacement for Oliver Glasner, with Pierre Sage now sealed and delivered.

The former Lens manager pushed Paris Saint-Germain all the way in Ligue 1 last season and is now looking to pick up where Glasner left off at Selhurst Park.

"It’s amazing to be here at Crystal Palace. I am excited by the history of the club, and by recent seasons. Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same. That’s why we come here with a lot of ambition.

"The dynamic here is really positive, and we are in this mindset too. We won last year – and we want to continue in this way, in a new club, a new project, but with a lot of winning habits." - Pierre Sage

The new manager has got near-impossible footsteps to follow, but the transfer market should certainly help ease any concerns about an adjustment period.

On that front, the Eagles have already set their sights on a defensive addition, who would be an excellent first signing for Sage ahead of his first season in charge.

Crystal Palace battling Fulham to sign defender

According to SportsBoom, Crystal Palace and Fulham have made direct contact to sign Arnau Martinez from Girona this summer. The Premier League duo are in pole position ahead of the likes of Ajax, with Fulham looking to get one over on their London rivals and deny Sage his first reinforcement.

It's easy to see why there's interest in Martinez. The right-back, who can also play centre-back, is still just 23 years old and full of potential. Now that Daniel Munoz is 30 and likely out of a back five system, Palace could turn to Martinez and add direct competition for their current star.

Fulham are facing a similar scenario. With Alvaro Arbeloa on his way, the Cottagers are also looking to deliver their new manager's first signing - sparking quite a race.

Both clubs have already received a major boost by rumours that Martinez has green-lit the chance to leave Girona this summer, with his current deal set to expire next year. Just who takes full advantage of that is the big question.