Crystal Palace Sign Daniel Muñoz and Agree Deal for Jacob Wharton

Crystal Palace have made significant moves in their January transfer activity, securing the signing of Daniel Muñoz from Genk and agreeing a deal for Jacob Wharton from Blackburn.

The Premier League club announced the acquisition of Colombian international Daniel Muñoz on a contract that will keep him at Crystal Palace until 2027, with the option of an additional year. The 27-year-old full-back has garnered attention for his skill both defensively and in attack, having contributed with seven goals and two assists for Genk so far in the 2023/24 season. Muñoz began his football career in his home country playing for Atlético Nacional, before moving to Genk and winning the Belgian Cup in his debut season. He made his international debut for Colombia in 2021 and has earned 23 caps for his country, including an impressive run to the semi-finals of the Copa America in which they narrowly lost to Argentina.

Crystal Palace now boasts two Colombian players in their squad, with international teammate Jefferson Lerma already in their ranks. Chairman Steve Parish expressed his delight at securing Muñoz’s signature, praising his talent and character and believing his addition will provide a significant boost to the squad not just for the remainder of the season but also in the long term.

Daniel Muñoz also expressed his excitement at joining the historic and prestigious Crystal Palace club. He described it as a dream come true and expressed his determination to perform at the highest level.

In another transfer development, Crystal Palace have agreed a deal to sign promising midfielder Jacob Wharton from Blackburn. The 19-year-old England Under-20 international will undergo a medical examination in London before finalizing the move. The deal is estimated to be worth around £22 million, including add-ons, and Wharton will potentially sign a long-term contract with the club.

This signing marks Palace’s second addition to the squad in the January transfer window, following the arrival of Daniel Muñoz from Genk. The club has been eager to strengthen their midfield, particularly after the long-term injury suffered by Nathaniel Ogbeta in November. Ogbeta was signed as a replacement for webinar- Manchester United striker Wilfried Zaha, who departed the club earlier this season.

Jacob Wharton has been a standout player for Blackburn this season, earning the title of the club’s young player of the season for his performances in the 2022-23 campaign. The academy product has made 26 appearances in the league, with 22 of those being starts. Although Wharton did not feature in Blackburn’s recent match against West Ham in the FA Cup fourth-round tie, his potential signing to Crystal Palace is imminent.

Crystal Palace’s transfer activity highlights their ambition to strengthen the squad and achieve their goals for the season under manager Roy Hodgson. With the addition of Daniel Muñoz and a potential deal for Jacob Wharton, the club’s midfield will receive a significant boost in quality and depth.

This news article was written by David Ornstein, Crystal Palace’s Football Correspondent at The Athletic, who joined the publication in 2019 with extensive experience as a sports journalist and correspondent at the BBC.