Crystal Palace are amongst the clubs interested in signing FC Koln centre-back Timo Hubers this summer.

What's the story?

That's according to Football Insider sources, who claim that the Eagles, alongside Watford and Fulham, have joined Leeds United in the race for the 25-year-old defender.

After little action early in the season, the German has broken into Steffen Baumgart's side in the second half of the season, making 15 Bundesliga appearances since mid-December.

Now, it seems as though Hubers has established himself as a target for an array of Premier League clubs.

Palace should sign Hubers

Stood at 6 foot 3, the defender is a colossus at the back and could prove to be a suitable alternative in defence for Palace boss Patrick Vieira.

Currently, Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen are the Frenchman's preferred pairing at centre-back, with the duo making a combined 74 appearances across all competitions this term having both made the move to Selhurst Park last summer.

However, the south London outfit will certainly be in need of new recruits in defence with James Tomkins' contract set to expire next month as is the case with Jaroslaw Jach, who hasn't made a first-team appearance this season.

That only leaves Nathan Ferguson, who is also approaching the back end of his deal with the 21-year-old's current contract set to expire next summer.

Therefore, signing Hubers would be incredibly wise in order to provide both backup and competition to Guehi and Andersen.

Labelled as "top-notch" by FC Koln's official Twitter, the 25-year-old has only been in Cologne for one season having left second-tier Hannover 96 last summer as a free agent.

However, the Rhein outfit only offered the defender a two-year deal which could now prove to be a massive regret for them and a serious boost for Palace.

With Guehi, in particular, having an excellent first season in south London which has also seen the 21-year-old handed his senior England debut, the signing of Hubers could prove to be the catalyst for a rock-solid partnership alongside the Englishman as Vieira will certainly be looking to take his side up the Premier League table.

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