Crystal Palace Opinion: Why the Eagles should go all out for Kemar Roofe

According to a report from Sky Sports, Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Brighton are interested in signing Leeds United star, Kemar Roofe.

Roofe was a key part of the Leeds side that came close to securing promotion, finishing third and getting dumped out of the playoffs in the semi-finals against Derby County. 

The 26-year-old’s future at Elland Road is currently uncertain. Although contract talks have taken place, no agreement has yet been reached, with the forward’s contract expiring next year.

The ex-West Brom man bagged 15 goals in the Championship for the Whites last term. Roofe could be tempted to join an English top-flight side and as he could be available on a bargain deal this summer, Crystal Palace must do everything to their powers to beat Brighton to the forward’s signing.

Having missed out on a top-half finish in the Premier League last season, Roy Hodgson will be desperate to improve next term and it looks like the transfer window could hold the key to that.

Crystal Palace’s struggles over the first half of the season were absolutely down to their ability to score goals. Chelsea loanee Michy Batshuayi was of great help post-January and his form helped them surge past the relegation zone and slip into their comfortable mid-table zone.

Now that Batshuayi has returned to Chelsea and the likes of Christian Benteke, Connor Wickham and Alexander Sorloth unreliable options, the Eagles need a new striker who can come up with goals and assists in equal measure. That’s exactly why Neal Maupay would be the better option, especially given the way the Leeds striker finished the season.

Roofe, a West Brom academy graduate, joined Leeds in the 2016 summer transfer window from Oxford United, having won the League Two Player of the Year award, and has scored 33 goals in 122 appearances since making the switch to Elland Road.

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A versatile forward, Roofe is tricky and unpredictable and can give the defenders a torrid time with his expert dribbling skills.

Whilst Roofe is inexperienced at the highest level, he will come to Palace with his confidence very high indeed, having scored 15 goals last season. That confidence coupled with Hodgson’s guidance could well work an absolute treat.

Verdict

Crystal Palace need someone like Roofe in their ranks if they are to succeed and start moving forward. If the 26-year-old can maintain his fitness, he could turn out to be a massive coup for the South London outfit.