Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing FC Copenhagen defender Victor Nelsson ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What's the story?

According to the Daily Mail, the Eagles have 'checked in' on the 22-year-old as they weigh up a potential move over the summer.

The report also claims that several other European clubs are keeping an eye on the highly-rated Nelsson, while fellow Premier League side Aston Villa were linked with a £9m deal 12 months ago.

Forget Tomkins

Changes are expected to be aplenty at Selhurst Park over the coming months as Palace chairman Steve Parish oversees a sizeable squad rebuild.

A dozen first-team players are out of contract at the south London club, and with Roy Hodgson departing, the 73-year-old's successor will have to bring in several new faces upon his arrival.

Palace had the oldest squad in the Premier League in 2020/21, a factor that the club's hierarchy will surely be looking to address in the window, and Nelsson would certainly help with that.

An ageing backline often including an older centre-back such as James Tomkins or Gary Cahill, leaked a whopping 66 goals in 38 Premier League games this season, the third-highest total in the top-flight.

While injury severely restricted Tomkins' game time, his struggles when he was on the pitch indicate that a changing of the guard can't come soon enough for the capital club.

Nelsson has been a crucial component to Copenhagen's success in the current campaign, starting every game of the Superligaen Championship Round, highlighting his importance to Jess Thorup's men.

The £2.7m-rated centre-back (as per Transfermarkt) is the perfect modern-day defender thanks to his previous exploits in midfield. At 6ft, he's big enough to be dominant in the air but is also cultured with the ball at his feet and showcased his quality against Manchester United in the 2019/20 Europa League quarter-finals.

Against the Red Devils, Nelsson was a beast, making nine clearances - more than any other player on the pitch - blocking two shots and achieving a WhoScored rating of 7.39, keeping Marcus Rashford off the scoresheet in the process.

Only a Bruno Fernandes penalty got past the Denmark international on the day, and Palace must swoop for the promising defender to kickstart their post-Hodgson era.

And, in other news...Massive CPFC contract update emerges over £120k-p/w “revelation”, fans will be buzzing