Crystal Palace complete Yohan Cabaye coup for initial £10m

Crystal Palace, 5/2 chances with Coral for a top 10 Premier League finish, have completed the signing of France international midfield playmaker Yohan Cabaye from Ligue 1 champions PSG for a club-record fee of £10m up front.

The 29-year-old, who played under Eagles coach Alan Pardew at Newcastle United, has penned a three-year deal at Selhurst Park, and there could be a further £3m in add-ons and bonuses winging their way to the Parc des Princes if certain conditions are met.

An initial £10m outlay on Cabaye eclipses Palace’s previous record buy; the £7m they paid Wigan Athletic for Scotland anchorman James McArthur last summer.

BREAKING: #CPFC are delighted to announce the signing of Yohan Cabaye on a three-year deal. #WelcomeCabaye pic.twitter.com/R1petCwcbq

— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) July 10, 2015

“I wanted to come and play for Palace because there are some really strong players here,” said Cabaye upon signing. “They finished very well last season and I think they can compete to get into the top eight.

“I also know the gaffer and have worked with him before and I’m confident with him. I want to do my best for him because he’s made a big effort to get me to come here, as well as the Chairman [Steve Parish], so I have to say a big thank you to both of them.”

Previously linked with Arsenal and Manchester United, Cabaye coming to Selhurst is a major coup for the south London club, and creates real strength in depth in the Eagles engine-room.

Restricted largely to sub appearances for PSG because of the likes of Blaise Matuidi, Thiago Motta and Javier Pastore, Cabaye can expect to have Pardew’s Palace side built around him, as this is what happened when the pair worked together at Newcastle.

When given freedom to play in a more advanced role, Cabaye rewarded his coach at the Magpies with seven goals in 19 Premier League games during the first half of 2013/14 before his move to Paris in the winter window.

Coral’s best bet: As Cabaye is targeting the top eight, who are we to argue? Take fine odds of 5/2 for Palace to finish in the top half this term.