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Crystal Palace Join Pursuit of Jaydee Canvot After Villa Bid Rejected

Crystal Palace have entered the race to sign highly rated French defender Jaydee Canvot, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The update posted on X revealed, “Crystal Palace enter the race for French centre back Jaydee Canvot after Aston Villa bid rejected last week.”

Toulouse have been consistent in their valuation of the 21-year-old, with Romano confirming that “Toulouse always asked around €20m for French defender.” This figure sets the benchmark for negotiations as Premier League clubs look to strengthen before the transfer window closes.

Palace Looking to Reinforce Defensive Depth

Palace’s interest signals a clear intention to bolster their backline, particularly with an eye on sustaining stability across the season. Manager Oliver Glasner has already spoken about the need for depth in defensive areas to cope with injuries and fixture congestion.

Canvot, a commanding presence at the heart of Toulouse’s defence, offers both physicality and composure in possession. His ability to read the game and distribute effectively from the back has drawn praise in Ligue 1, making him an appealing prospect for clubs looking to modernise their defensive approach.

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Aston Villa’s Rejected Bid Opens Door

Aston Villa were first to act with an official bid for Canvot, but their offer fell short of Toulouse’s €20m asking price. This rejection now opens the door for Palace, who could look to meet the valuation or structure a deal that satisfies the French club’s demands.

Villa remain in the background, and it would not be surprising if other Premier League sides monitor the situation. For now, however, Palace appear to have stolen a march by formally entering discussions as they aim to add quality and youth to their defensive ranks.

What Canvot Brings to the Premier League

At 21, Canvot represents both a short-term solution and a long-term investment. His performances in Ligue 1 have demonstrated resilience under pressure and the versatility to adapt across different defensive systems.

Crystal Palace will view this as an opportunity to inject competition into the squad and build a core of players capable of growing with the club’s ambitions. If negotiations progress, securing Canvot would be a significant statement for a side determined to move beyond mid-table stability and towards European aspirations.

As Romano noted, talks are still developing, but the next few days will be crucial in determining whether Palace can close the gap to Toulouse’s expectations and finalise one of their most exciting defensive signings in recent seasons.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Palace fans, this update sparks genuine excitement. Jaydee Canvot is the type of player that signals a club looking forward, not simply trying to survive in the Premier League. At 21, his potential is huge, and his technical attributes suit the possession-based style Glasner has been keen to implement since arriving.

The €20m fee feels like a calculated gamble. Palace have spent wisely in recent windows, and Canvot would fit perfectly into that philosophy. Fans will see this as a statement that the board is backing the manager’s vision, especially with competition from Aston Villa showing how highly rated the player is.

Concerns remain about whether Palace can move quickly enough. The transfer window is closing fast, and a bidding battle could drive the price higher. Supporters will hope chairman Steve Parish acts decisively to get this deal over the line, as adding Canvot alongside the existing core would give the squad a strong defensive platform to push further up the table this season.