Rochdale defender George Nevett could be set to complete a dream move to Premier League side Crystal Palace during the upcoming January transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The talented defender could be sold by the National League side as a source of funding to help the football club, as they continue their search for investors to help both the on and off-field stability of the club.
The 17-year-old signed his first professional contract with Rochdale in July, which is scheduled to run until June 2026 but with Premier League clubs swooping around, whether Rochdale can afford to hold onto their key man remains to be seen.
Rochdale have lost Kairo Mitchell through injury as well as Cian Hayes being recalled by Fleetwood Town, leaving Jimmy McNulty’s side short on numbers heading into a busy Christmas period.
Nevett has made 19 league appearances for Rochdale so far this season and has started every league game since mid-September, which for a 17-year-old is almost unheard of at this level.
Crystal Palace have an act for developing young players and have previously been heavily linked to Peterborough’s Ronnie Edwards although no move ever occurred between the interested parties.
Following their relegation out of the football league, Rochdale have been desperately increasing their search for a new investor to help fund and protect both the short and long term futures of the football club. Therefore, selling a player like Nevett would massively boost the club’s funding both in the short and long term with the possibility of add-one and sell-on clauses.
Writer’s View
Nevett is a very talented, young defender and losing him would be a huge blow for Rochdale but it could be the step they need to take to protect the club’s long-term financial future.
The defender would demand a considerable fee as well as having additional bonuses that would earn Rochdale more money further down the line and I can see them selling him if an appropriate offer came in.