Crystal Palace Sign Anan Khalaili from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise

Crystal Palace have moved quickly to seize an opportunity others walked away from, confirming the signing of Israel winger Anan Khalaili from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

The 21-year-old has agreed a five-year contract at Selhurst Park, the club announced on Saturday, with the deal still “subject to international clearance.” British reports put the fee at around 24.5 million euros ($28 million), a sizeable outlay that underlines how highly Palace rate the right-sided attacker.

Just a few weeks ago, Khalaili seemed destined for Serie A. Inter Milan had an agreement in place, only for the transfer to collapse after medical checks. Inter president Giuseppe Marotta addressed the situation publicly, explaining that Khalaili had not been granted medical clearance to join.

“Italy has very strict legislation protecting players' health, with decisions made by an independent body rather than the club's medical staff. We have to abide by this decision,” Marotta said at the time.

That door shut. Palace kicked another one open.

For the south London club, it is a bold play. Khalaili arrives with top-flight and international experience already behind him. Raised at Maccabi Haifa, where he came through at his hometown club, he earned a move to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium in 2024 and continued his rapid rise there.

On the international stage, he has made 16 appearances for Israel, a significant tally for a player still only 21 and a sign of the trust already placed in him at national-team level.

He becomes Palace’s fifth signing of the summer window, joining Óscar Mingueza, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand in a reshaped squad that is steadily being armed with more depth and versatility.

Inter walked away. Palace have decided the talent is worth the risk. Now the Premier League will discover whether that gamble turns into a statement coup.