Crystal Palace’s £20m Anan Khalaili gamble has all the signs of paying off

Crystal Palace appear to have found their next Belgian Pro League recruit in Anan Khalaili, with the 21-year-old possessing many of the attributes required to make a successful transition to the Premier League.

After a proposed move to Inter Milan fell through because of an issue during his medical, Palace have now reportedly met Union Saint-Gilloise's asking price for the Israel international.

His goals and assists may not immediately stand out, but a closer look at Khalaili's performances suggests Palace are getting one of the Belgian league's most promising wide players.

One of Khalaili's biggest strengths is his ability to operate in several positions down the right flank.

He can play as a right-back, wing-back, right midfielder or winger, giving Palace considerable tactical flexibility.

That versatility is backed up by his physical qualities. Khalaili is capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch and already has experience playing in the physically demanding Belgian Pro League.

He also arrives with significant senior experience despite being just 21.

After making 47 appearances as Union won the league during his first season, Khalaili became an even more important player last term.

He featured 52 times across domestic and Champions League competition, scoring six goals and providing six assists. Three of those goals came during Union's maiden Champions League campaign.

Khalaili's underlying numbers help explain why Palace are prepared to invest around £20m in his potential.

According to FotMob data, he ranked above 92% of players in his position for chances created in the Belgian Pro League last season.

He also registered more shot attempts than 81% of comparable players and won more aerial duels than 83%.

Those numbers point towards a player capable of creating opportunities, getting himself into shooting positions and competing physically.

That combination could make Khalaili particularly well suited to the intensity of Premier League football.

Palace already know how successfully talent from Belgium can translate to English football.

Daniel Munoz made the move from the Belgian Pro League and established himself at Selhurst Park, providing Palace with evidence that players from the competition can adapt quickly to the demands of the Premier League.

Khalaili is younger and will still need time to develop, but his profile offers similar reasons for optimism.

At 21, Palace are buying potential as much as immediate production. His experience in the Champions League and ability to play multiple roles should nevertheless give him a strong foundation.

For Union, receiving around £20m would represent another significant piece of transfer business.

The Belgian club signed Khalaili from Maccabi Haifa in 2024 before developing him into one of the league's standout wide players.

Palace are now betting that his development can continue at a considerably higher level.

The Premier League represents a major step up, but Khalaili's versatility, physicality and underlying attacking numbers suggest he has the tools required to handle it.

Khalaili will have to adapt to a significant increase in quality and intensity when he arrives in the Premier League, but Palace can afford to give the 21-year-old time to develop.

The key will be determining where he fits best. His ability to operate as a full-back, wing-back or winger gives Palace several options, and if his attacking output continues to improve, the reported £20m investment could prove another smart piece of recruitment from the Belgian market.

Can Anan Khalaili follow Daniel Munoz's path and become Crystal Palace's next Belgian Pro League success story?