The bargain £5m-rated Crystal Palace signing who could turbocharge season - opinion

Crystal Palace won the FA Cup last season after beating Manchester City in the final. Eberechi Eze got their goal in the first-half at Wembley against Pep Guardiola’s side and that proved to be enough. The Eagles will now be looking forward to the next campaign and have the chance to bolster their ranks.

Oliver Glasner will be keen to add more quality to his squad over the next couple of months. He has done an impressive job since taking over at Selhurst Park and is a popular man. The ex-Eintracht Frankfurt boss also has the opportunity to let some players leave as well if needed.

Crystal Palace should target Watford attacking midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze

Watford attacking midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze has caught the eye in the Championship over recent times. The Hornets could face a real battle to keep hold of him this summer amid interest from elsewhere. According to a report by SportsBoom, newly promoted pair Burnley and Sunderland are keen to lure the £5m-rated star to the Premier League, whilst ambitious Birmingham City are also said to be in the frame.

Crystal Palace have plucked key players like Eze and Adam Wharton from the second tier and should now try and land Chakvetadze. The Georgia international, who has made 39 caps for his country, is an exciting talent. He should now try and test himself in the top flight after proving his worth in the Football League.

He is under contract at Vicarage Road until 2029 meaning his current club are under no pressure to sell him just yet and can wait for the right offer to come in for his services. At just £5million, he would be an absolute bargain for the Eagles. That would free up funds to pursue other targets in different positions.

Why Giorgi Chakvetadze would suit Crystal Palace

Chakvetadze would give Crystal Palace more competition and depth in attacking areas. He would also offer them something different to what they already have at their disposal going forward. The lure of European football in the next campaign is also likely to give them an edge over the likes of Burnley, Sunderland and Birmingham.

It remains to be seen whether Eze will be staying put in South London for next term. If he did leave, Glasner would need to find an adequate replacement. Although Chakvetadze is unproven at the top level, signing him for a cut-price fee is a gamble that is worth taking.

He is still relatively young so has potential to develop in the future. The Tbilisi-born man can also play on the wing as well if required, along with his usual position of behind the striker. Chakvetadze was on the books of Genk from 2017 to 2024 and made 81 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with eight goals.

The Belgian club also loaned him out to Hamburg and Slovan Bratislava before Watford came calling. The Hornets initially signed him on loan before his switch was later made permanent. He has since adapted well to life in England and has become one of their most prized assets.

Crystal Palace need to be smart with their recruitment and won’t want to splash too much cash. They must be smart in the way they operate and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them delve back into the division below to identify possible additions. If they do, they should look no further than Chakvetadze.