It looks like, after a move to Inter fell through due to a medical issue, Anan Khalaili will be getting his move this summer. Crystal Palace have paid the fee that Union St Gilloise requested and now the young Israeli winger will leave the Belgian Pro League for the Premier League. Like Daniel Munoz before him, Khalaili has everything required to be a successful player in the Premier League for Crystal Palace.
Khalaili has been one of the best wide men in the Pro League over the last 12 months, even if his numbers in terms of goals and assists don’t quite jump off the page like Christos Tzolis who joined Arsenal. Union signed Khalaili back in 2024 for a significant fee for the Belgian side. He played 47 games in his first season, scoring two goals and providing four assists as Union won the league. However, it was last season when Khalaili really showed by Union had been willing to spend so much money on a player from Maccabi Haifa.
Over the course of the season, Khalaili became a key player for the side, appearing in 52 games across domestic Belgian football and Champions League football. He provided six assists and scored six goals. Three of those goals came during the sides debut Champions League campaign. Khalaili offers Crystal Palace versatility on the right hand side. He can play as a conventional right back or right-wing back, or further forward as a right midfielder or right winger. He has the physicality required to contribute at both ends, and the physical nature of the Pro League should stand him in good stead to be a success for Crystal Palace. At just 21, Khalaili still has plenty of time to develop. Last season he created more opportunities than 92% of players in the Pro League playing in his position (according to FotMob data). He also had more shot attempts than 81% of those in his position and won more aerial duels than 83%.
While for a Premier League side, a fee of around £20m is not that much these days, for a Belgian team this is a huge amount to receive for a player. Union have once again shown they are one of the best in Belgium when it comes to scouting talent and selling it on for a big fee.
For Crystal Palace, the signing of Munoz has confirmed to them that talent is available in the Pro League and worth investing in. Khalaili will now have to take a big step up, but the Colombian full-back has shown that it can be done.