Solly March to Crystal Palace - what we know so far and Brighton fan reaction

He couldn't, could he? Solly March continues to be linked with a move to Brighton's old rivals Crystal Palace.

March, 32, was released by Brighton at the end of last season and the experienced winger is pre-season training and pondering his next move.

He has been linked with Newcastle and Championship club Blackburn but is said to be training with Crystal Palace, with the South London outfit weighing up a potential move.

What do we know so far?

March is actively seeking a new club and has stated his wish to stay and play in England, ideally the Premier League. He posted clips of himself warm-weather training in Doha featuring high-intensity workouts captioned "Working in the heat and ready for what's next".

He also gave an interview to TalkSport earlier this month saying he is "fit and feeling good." He also said he was disappointed not to get a new contract from Brighton as the club go in "a different direction."

Has he trained with Crystal Palace?

According to reports, yes. @PalaceReport posted: "Solly March has spent time at the Crystal Palace training ground as a free transfer remains on the table.

“Brighton released March at the end of last season, with the 32-year-old having played limited minutes over the last three campaigns after injury problems. @bobbyManzi."

The BBC also reported that March - who was with Brighton for 15 years - has been recommended to Palace, with a potential deal being discussed internally at Palace.

Paul Barber responds at fans’ forum

Question: Solly March is possibly going to Crystal Palace and Adam Webster and Danny Welbeck have gone. It's like we're pushing these older players, who are leaders, out

Paul Barber: "It's football and it's what happens unfortunately. Players can't play forever or at the level we need them to forever.

"We have to make tough decisions and it's never easy. Fans - and I am one too - become attached to players and it's an emotional attachment, but our job is to be unemotional, focused and pragmatic.

"We have to give Fabian the squad that we think, and he thinks, can cope this season in four competitions.

"It's one that you're going to have to trust us on."

Sussex World verdict

March has played more than 300 games for Brighton and 194 times with them in the Premier League. Long-term knee injuries have plagued him for the past two seasons but fortunately that seems to be behind him. He would not be the first Brighton player to make the switch to Palace but it would still be a tough one to take for Brighton fans.

In some ways though, the move does make sense. March has a young family and Palace are very close by and can offer Premier League and Europa League football this term. It works in that respect but he also knows the nature of the rivalry and what it means for the supporters.

On the flip side, March may also feel that he deserved a new contract at Brighton and feels a little hard done by and therefore no longer has that sense loyalty. There's certainly a lot to unpick with this one.

My personal view is that March could have been offered one-more year at Brighton, he still has plenty to offer as Brighton compete on four fronts this year - even if it is for 30 minutes at the end and helping to guide the crop of new youngsters.

But Brighton also wanted to create a pathway for younger players such as Amario Cozier-Duberry, Zadok Yohanna and Harry Howell. It was a tough call all round... but is going to Palace the answer? We await with interest.

What the fans have said?

@RayKalinauskas·22h: What's next, make an offer for Dunk?

@PeterJe71170155: Man needs to eat doesn’t he! It would hurt if he played (and played well) against us. He’s toward the back end of his career - one last big pay day. Rather like Welbeck or Murray. Perhaps we should have kept him on to do his coaching badges but maybe he still feels he can play.

@jenks1468: Can you blame him? We didn’t want him…..they did. It’s a commercial world.

@1trillioncoin: Don't blame him. Wish we had given a new contract. Understand I don't know better than the club so won't second guess, but do not blame Solly for going somewhere he is wanted. Doesn't seem like he has a lot of options.

@papadede88: It’s genuinely not that deep. Good deal for everyone. Not like he’s in his prime.