Crystal Palace transfer now ‘mathematically impossible’ – Eagles dodge obligation

Crystal Palace summer signing Christantus Uche is now likely to return to Getafe in the summer as the Eagles have dodged a permanent purchase clause.

That’s according to Fichajes, who cover the situation today. The Spanish outlet reports that Crystal Palace can no longer be obligated to buy the 22-year-old this summer.

Uche joined Crystal Palace on loan from Getafe in the summer transfer window. That deal, done after some classic summer transfer window drama, includes an obligation for them to buy him this summer for €20m.

But that obligation only activated if Uche made 10 Premier League starts this season. That scenario is now mathematically impossible.

Uche back on the market

Uche has not started a single Premier League game this season, and now there aren’t enough left for him to hit the figure stipulated in the contract. Crystal Palace’s 3-1 win over Tottenham on Wednesday evening was their 29^th game of the season.

That means with only nine games left to play, the mandatory purchase clause is automatically ruled out. The only way he could remain at Selhurst Park is if Crystal Palace decide to sign him.

His current situation under Oliver Glasner ‘doesn’t inspire optimism’ on that front, though. There’s no indication that the Eagles want him permanently.

Everything instead points to him returning to Getafe in the summer. That’s seen as an interesting option for the Spanish club, who was a star for them previously.

Analysis: Getafe needed Crystal Palace money

The lack of sale is also a problem, though. Sport Witness have covered various reports from Spain in recent months explaining that Getafe were dependent on the €20m sale to help balance their books.

Now they definitely won’t be getting it, there’s a need to reassess their situation. They may look to sell Uche elsewhere, but his disappointing season at Crystal Palace will not have helped his value.

In fact, Transfermarkt have him valued at around €15m thanks to the deal last summer. That will surely drop before the summer, when he returns to Getafe, where his current deal expires in 2028.