Crystal Palace complete late deals for Ben Chilwell, Dario Osorio and Quinten Timber

Crystal Palace have concluded their transfer window with the signings of Ben Chilwell, Dario Osorio and Quinten Timber.

This comes after confirming the arrival of Honest Ahanor on a season-long loan from Atalanta earlier on Tuesday.

The left-back Chilwell, 29, returns to Palace on a permanent basis from Strasbourg after spending the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan, making 11 appearances, while 25-year-old Timber joins from Marseille to bolster the midfield.

Chilwell joined Strasbourg from sister club Chelsea last summer and made 34 appearances in all competitions for the French club last season.

Osorio, a 22-year-old right-sided forward, joins from Midtjylland initially on loan in a deal that will become permanent, meaning Palace are able to better navigate their issues over UEFA Squad Cost Ratio rules. All three transfers were announced by the club after the transfer window closed.

It brings Palace’s total incoming players to 10 this window, with the intention always to provide Sage with the depth to try to better compete across both the Premier League and the Europa League after they struggled with injuries and unavailability at times last season under Oliver Glasner.

Sensible business adds to Palace’s depth

These are all sensible moves from Palace which afford them good cover and competition in every area of the pitch. They needed a deeper squad and that is what they now have.

Bringing in Osario initially on loan avoids spending a significant sum up front and enables them to spread out their financial outlay. Osorio is unlikely to displace Ismaila Sarr but if Palace sell Sarr next summer then it gives them a replacement ready who will by then have had a chance to settle.

At 22, he is young enough to offer resale value should he develop and fits the criteria Palace were looking for, but this was not a deal they had until deadline day anticipated doing, despite earlier summer interest being revisited.

He is experienced albeit in weaker leagues than the Premier League but has also represented his country, all of which is beneficial.

With Borna Sosa joining FC Koln on a season-long loan, a left back was required in case of injury or unavailability for Tyrick Mitchell. Oscar Mingueza could not realistically be requested to be the only cover on both defensive flanks.

Chilwell therefore provides experience and knows Palace. He is also a homegrown player to help meet the relevant requirements.

Timber’s arrival gives them the central midfielder they needed. Competing in Europe again meant that they could not rely just on Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada with Will Hughes offering back-up, as Jefferson Lerma is only considered to be centre-back cover.

They lacked quality depth in the position, and Timber has experience too.