Crystal Palace finalizes deal to sign Anan Khalaili for £21M

Crystal Palace is wrapping up a deal to bring Anan Khalaili to the Premier League from Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for a fee of approximately £21 million. The 21-year-old Israeli international, who plays as a right winger or wing-back, had been one of the most coveted young attackers in European football this summer, and Palace appears to have beaten several rivals to his signature.

The transfer, worth around €28 million, would represent a club-record outgoing fee for Union SG.

From Milan’s medical room to south London

Khalaili’s path to Selhurst Park took a detour through Italy first. The winger had been on the verge of a €32 million move to Inter Milan earlier this summer, a deal that would have been even more lucrative for his Belgian club. That transfer collapsed in July 2026 after Khalaili failed his medical examination with the Serie A giants.

Newcastle and Ipswich were both credited with interest in the Israeli international. Palace, though, moved decisively. Reports from Israeli outlet Sport5 and various Belgian and UK transfer sources indicated that personal terms with the player were close to being finalized as of August 10, 2026, with medical assessments and a formal announcement the only remaining hurdles.

The fee Palace will pay, roughly £11 million less than what Inter had agreed, reflects the leverage that a failed medical creates.

Who is Anan Khalaili?

Khalaili emerged as a standout talent during Union Saint-Gilloise’s impressive run in recent Belgian Pro League seasons. Operating primarily on the right flank, he combines pace, directness, and the tactical flexibility to drop into a wing-back role when needed.

His international experience with Israel adds another dimension. While the Israeli national team isn’t among Europe’s traditional powerhouses, Khalaili has been a regular in the squad, gaining competitive minutes that many players his age simply don’t get at the international level.

For Union Saint-Gilloise, this is bittersweet. They lose a key player and receive less than the €32 million Inter had offered. But a club-record sale is still a club-record sale, and the fee provides significant reinvestment capital for a team that has built its model on identifying undervalued talent and selling at a profit.

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