Crystal Palace Signs Anan Khalaili from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise

Crystal Palace have moved quickly to turn another club’s hesitation into their own opportunity, sealing the signing of Israel winger Anan Khalaili from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

The Premier League side confirmed the deal on Saturday, announcing the 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract, subject to international clearance. British reports value the transfer at 24.5 million euros ($28 million) — a significant outlay for a player still at the start of his European journey.

Only weeks ago, Khalaili looked set for a very different career path. Inter Milan had agreed a transfer, only for the move to collapse after the Italian club said he had not been given medical clearance to join. Inter president Giuseppe Marotta addressed the situation publicly, stressing that Italy’s strict health regulations for players leave the final word with an independent body rather than club doctors.

“We have to abide by this decision,” Marotta said at the time. Inter walked away. Palace stepped in.

For the London club, it feels like a calculated gamble with considerable upside. Khalaili, who operates mainly from the right flank, came through at hometown side Maccabi Haifa before heading to Belgium with Union Saint-Gilloise in 2024. His rise has been swift enough to earn 16 caps for Israel already, and his blend of direct running and creativity adds another dimension to Palace’s attack.

He becomes the club’s fifth signing of the summer window, joining Óscar Mingueza, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand in a squad being quietly reshaped.

Inter’s loss? Palace will believe it might just turn into one of the stories of their season.