According to Sky Sports News, former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini is undergoing a medical at Crystal Palace.
What's the word?
The Guardian reported last week that Crystal Palace were considering a deal for Flamini, who left Arsenal at the end of last season. Well, it appears there has been significant progress since, with Eagles chairman Steve Parish telling talkSPORT this morning that the Frenchman is currently undergoing a medical with the South Londoners.
As quoted by The Croydon Advertiser, he told talkSPORT; "[Flamini] is a free agent and we've got a space in the squad. He was available and we think he can give us something, with Mile Jedinak going, he can add something. I think he's having a medical right now, there's an exclusive for you."
Where would Flamini fit in?
In addition to offering the experience of a Serie A title with AC Milan and multiple Champions League campaigns with Arsenal, Flamini would bring some much-needed tenacity to Crystal Palace's midfield. He's a ferocious worker off the ball and Palace still need a replacement for former captain Mile Jedinak - in terms of both leadership and play-breaking ability - following his summer switch to Aston Villa.
Courtesy of Squawka, here's a quick look at what Jedinak's departure has taken away from Palace's midfield and what Flamini could bring back to it - based on per-90-minute metrics:
Why can Palace sign him outside of the transfer window?
The 32-year-old left Arsenal upon the expiration of his contract at the end of last season - his final act for the Gunners being the conceding of a penalty against Barcelona in the Champions League, all the way back in February.
He failed to find a club during the summer but remains a free agent, meaning the industrious midfielder can still sign for someone even outside of the transfer window.
His eligibility to play depends on whether a club have already registered a full 25-man squad. But as The Guardian revealed last week, Palace only registered 24 players for their Premier League campaign - so they have room for Flamini.
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