Onyebuchi Onokala, a transfer insider, verified the news on Monday, stating that the 22-year-old had successfully completed his medical exams in order to sign a long-term contract with Selhurst Park.
“Uche Christantus recently passed the Crystal Palace medical exam. The contract is anticipated to be signed shortly. “Four plus one,” Onokala said.
“I can verify that a jet is already reserved for Uche to travel to Nigeria right away for national duties,” he continued.
According to Onokala, the agreement was reached after Uche first expressed hesitancy to go to England at this point in his career.
He claims that following a crucial meeting with Getafe’s president, who acknowledged the Spanish club needed to sell, Palace manager Oliver Glasner convinced the striker.
Oliver Glasner persuaded the player to travel to England at this point in his career, and after a lengthy discussion with the president of Getafe, he was informed that the club needed to sell. He revealed, “They need the money.”
Earlier this summer, Uche was on the verge of joining Wolves, but negotiations broke down due to personal issues. Onokala said that the attacker declined their offer because he preferred to stay in Spain for at least one more season. However, he ultimately agreed to Palace’s offer after receiving guarantees from Nigeria coach Eric Chelle that he would stay overseas and complete the transfer.
He intended to remain in Spain for at least another year, therefore he turned down Wolves. Onokala clarified that he had already discussed this plan with Eric Chelle and had been given ample opportunity to resolve the matter before reporting for Nigerian national duty.
Getafe and Palace have agreed on a €20 million price for the deal, which is the same sum that Wolves had offered prior to the breakdown of talks. Considering that Getafe only paid €500,000 to acquire Uche from AD Ceuta last summer, the trade also marks a huge profit for the team.
The Nigerian gets the opportunity to play in European football for the first time in his career after scoring one goal and dishing out one assist in La Liga this season.
