With the 2026 World Cup done and dusted, the return of club football is back on everyone's minds.
Pre-season preparations are under way and we want you to have a think about Crystal Palace's squad.
Tell us one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want the Eagles to bring in before the transfer window shuts.
Chelsea have accelerated their interest in defender Maxence Lacroix after a fresh round of talks with Crystal Palace.
The proposed deal is being handled by the ownership of both clubs, with the latest discussions described as positive.
Palace have been keen to offer Lacroix - who has three years to run on his existing deal - a new contract, but the player is keen for a new challenge.
It is understood The Eagles want a deal worth a minimum £60m for the 26-year-old and have started looking at potential replacements, with Ausburg's Chrislain Matsima among the players monitored.
Image source, Getty ImagesThirty-four years ago a £13m transfer caused national outrage in Italy.
When AC Milan signed Gianluigi Lentini from Torino in 1992 for a then world record fee, newspapers called the deal "obscene", while the Vatican's official newspaper described it as "an offence against the dignity of work".
Today that fee would barely register among the Premier League's biggest transfers.
This summer alone Chelsea have agreed a club record £117m deal for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Manchester City paid Nottingham Forest £116m for Elliot Anderson, and Tottenham spent a club record £100m on Sandro Tonali.
These are not the only major deals. Tottenham also agreed an £85m move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, Barcelona paid £69m to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, and Manchester United spent £50m on Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos.
It is the first transfer window in Premier League history to produce three £100m-plus signings - and there are still weeks to go before deadline day on 1 September.
During the 2025 summer window English top-flight clubs spent a record £3bn.
So why are transfer fees continuing to climb? Why are clubs paying record sums for players already playing in England? And why are more clubs willing to sell some of their biggest stars?
Read more here on the big spending taking place in the Premier League
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace have congratulated Yeremy Pino after he became the club's first active player to win the World Cup.
Pino did not feature in Sunday's final as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time but he did play on two occasions during the group stage of the tournament.
His success follows European joy with the Eagles given their triumph in the Uefa Conference League.
The club wrote on its official website: "Everyone at Palace sends their congratulations to Yéremy!"
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace's first pre-season game saw Eddie Nketiah and Matheus Franca find the net in a dominant 5-1 win over Swindon Town.
Palace manager Pierre Sage shared his thoughts post-match, having taken over at Selhurst Park in June.
Giving his verdict to Palace TV after the win, external, Sage said: "I'm OK with the second-half, we did what we decided to do.
"We had problems with the ball and I think we have to work on this to be better.
"But at the moment the players are only able to play 15-20 minutes at the top level. It's only the first week, so we need more sessions.
"We've only had five sessions together. And we won't have just five anymore, so I think the next game will be better.
"We have possibilities to play together over the coming weeks. That's a good thing for the team.
"During Como [later this month] we will play two games there with less sessions. That game will replace the training for this kind of competition.
"But we have a good condition. We have a group who want to work with us, I think they give their best every day.
"I think this a good way to improve, both as players and as the team. I think we will continue like this."
European champions Spain broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina in extra-time to win their second ever World Cup in New Jersey.
Barcelona's Ferran Torres was the difference maker in what was an overall disappointing final that was littered with interruptions.
Spain created the best opportunities against the defending world champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra time.
Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams' header to beat Argentina and Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.
Seven Premier League players will now return to their five respective clubs for the new 2026-27 season having won the biggest honour in world football.
Chelsea have held formal talks with Crystal Palace over a move for France defender Maxence Lacroix with the Eagles valuing the 26-year-old at around £55m. (Talksport), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesIt's European versus world champions in Sunday's World Cup final as Spain face Argentina - live on the BBC from 19:00 BST.
Crystal Palace winger Yeremy Pino has not featured for Spain since suffering an acromioclavicular sprain in the final group game against Uruguay, but is available should he be called upon by Luis de la Fuente.
Pino was not part of the winning Euro 2024 squad because of an ACL tear in November 2023.
But should Spain beat three-time champions Argentina, Pino will have won four major senior trophies, including the Conference League with the Eagles last season.
Image source, Getty ImagesWith pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us the one thing you're looking forward to about club football returning.
Here are some of your replies:
Haris: A new manager, some new faces, the Europa League. Should player fitness not be an issue, I reckon a top half finish is a go!
Simon: The Europa League draw! We have been waiting for that one since our FA Cup win in 2024-25! Hopefully we don't lose any of our key first team players too.
Sam: I'm excited to see Adam Wharton play, something England could have really done with at the World Cup!
Lee: I'm looking forward to being with my friends who I've been going to Palace home and away with for many years. I'm hoping that Pierre Sage will pick up where the former manager left off. Plus I'm excited to finally be in the Europa League, where we should have been in the first place. Hopefully we will have a good run in all the cups and an improvement in our league position.
Rob: There are a lot of changes, especially with a new manager coming in. I'm very excited by the prospect of the Europa League and the possibility of seeing some bigger name European teams at Selhurst Park.
Image source, CPFCCrystal Palace's 2026-27 home kit launch marks the return of the iconic sash, 50 years on from its first introduction in 1976.
It's a modern twist on a classic design with the sash "a symbol of identity, continuity and resilience through change", according to club statement.
In keeping with the retro feel, the kit features a circular club crest originally used from 1973 to 1987.
It is paired with white shorts that have a red and blue trim running down the side and white socks with red and blue hoop detail.
Crystal Palace and Argentina goalkeeper Walter Benitez, 33, could terminate his Palace contract in order to return to Nice. (Nice-Matin - in French), external
Crystal Palace are interested in signing Augsburg defender Chrislain Matsima, 24, with the Frenchman one of a number of centre-back options under consideration. (Standard), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Nick Mashiter
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesOliver Glasner understands Crystal Palace fans will be upset by his move to Nottingham Forest.
The former Eagles boss joined Forest on a three-year deal this month after leaving Selhurst Park at the end of last season.
The two teams have struck up a rivalry since Forest took Palace's place in the Europa League last term.
Eagles fans were unhappy with Forest's involvement in their demotion from the Europa League to Conference League for breaching multi-ownership rules, with Forest expressing their concerns to Uefa.
Glasner ended up guiding Palace to the Conference League title - 12 months after winning the FA Cup - and recognises how some supporters will feel about the move.
"I always can understand what people are thinking, their own motivation, their own thoughts and that's what I completely accept," he said.
"I hope everybody accepts that I can't ask every single one: 'Do you agree with my decision?' Because then I don't know where I would end.
"That's why I have to take my own decision for my family and for myself, and it was also enough to convince my family to leave again. It was probably the hardest part of this decision.
"I always try to understand everybody. This also gives me a different view. I like some feedback and sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't agree, but yes, I can understand this.
"I had two and a half fantastic years at Palace - an amazing time, amazing connections to the players and staff, to the chairman, owners and fans. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible to win three trophies.
"I'm really pleased to have been part of it but now a new chapter begins with a new book to write at Forest."
The World Cup has done a fantastic job of filling the Premier League void, but there is nothing quite like club football.
As the tournament in North America heads towards its climax and England supporters' disappointment sinks in, there is a Crystal Palace fanbase waiting for the 2026-27 season with anticipation.
So, it has got us thinking: what are you looking forward to most about club football resuming?
When the World Cup ends, regardless of who wins, we'll still have loads of great content every day as we build up to the new Premier League season.
We're already working on some exciting new things for 2026-27.
As well as all the fallout and reaction to the tournament, we'll quickly shift back towards club football, with pre-season coverage and all the latest transfer gossip and stories.
BBC Sport and teams across BBC Nations and Regions cover all 20 Premier League sides and we have dedicated club reporters, who will be travelling to bring you behind-the-scenes insights from pre-season tours.
We'll also have live pages for selected pre-season matches, as well as in-depth features and storytelling, giving you the latest updates before the new campaign.
Once the World Cup ends, some of the standout players will be hot property in the transfer market, with top clubs chasing their signatures.
Our reporters, including senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, will be breaking the big transfer stories on our website and app.
We'll also have our daily transfer gossip column, wrapping up all the rumours from across the football world.
For fans of World Cup Predictor, a new weekly game will be launching immediately after the tournament, with five fixtures a week to predict the outcomes of. You'll be able to build up your streaks and share your results with friends and family.
Our quizzes will also continue to be available to play so you can test your knowledge of the beautiful game.
Our new Shorts tab in the BBC Sport app will be the home of sport videos with content throughout the week from your club, including explainers, pundit analysis, interviews and behind-the-scenes content. We'll also be starting to include more reaction from fans so you can see the latest hot takes and debate the biggest talking points from your club.
Live pages are going to get bigger and better with more interactive elements, more conversation and improved functionality. They'll have BBC Radio 5 Live audio commentaries for the Premier League and Champions League, as well as live video for FA Cup.
Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.
Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.
And when following your Premier League team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications, which give you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on which players you're most excited to see in action during pre-season.
Here are some of your comments:
Robert: I'm looking forward to seeing fringe players previously out on loan, such as Danny Imray, David Ozoh and Matheus Franca, to see how they've progressed and if they may become genuine first-team squad options.
Al: Ozoh and Cheick Doucoure for me. We have missed Doucoure and Ozoh is a dynamic player in the making who we cannot afford to let go. Hopefully Pierre Sage will see his potential too.
Hector: I'm going to the Bromley away game and would love to see how we set up under Sage. It will be a first glimpse of how we are going to play throughout the season. I would also love to see some youth given a chance - Romain Esse, George King and Joel Drakes-Thomas.
John: Danny Imray after very positive loan moves.
Chelsea are looking at a move for Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton after Liverpool and Manchester United both cooled their interest in the midfielder. (Caught Offside), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Pre-season is just around the corner and the Premier League returns in less than 50 days.
Here is Crystal Palace's pre-season schedule - with kick-off times in BST.
18 July v Swindon (H - behind closed doors) - 12:30
25 July v Bromley (A) - 15:00
28 July v Lens (45-minute match, Como Cup) - 18:00
28 July v Famalicao (45-minute match, Como Cup) -19:30
31 July or 1 August v TBC (90-minute match at Como Cup) - TBC
15 August v Freiburg (A) - 13:00
Which players, including young prospects from the academy, are you most looking forward to seeing in action?
Image source, Getty ImagesPlenty of players have made names for themselves at this World Cup, from goalkeepers like Cape Verde's Vozinha and Paraguay's Orlando Gill to New Zealand midfielder Elijah Just.
But though they might not have been familiar to fans, the extent of modern scouting means clubs all over the world will already have known about many of them – so how have their heroics at the tournament affected their standing in the game, and their value in the transfer market?
More than the Score's Mani Djazmi is joined Ben Littlemore from Transfermarkt, one of the world's foremost football databases. Lutz Pfannenstiel, sporting director at Aberdeen, also shares his footballing knowledge in today's episode.
Crystal Palace and Fulham might move for Southampton's Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles, 22, after Leeds failed with two offers. (Sky Sports, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesNew Crystal Palace signing Oscar Mingueza says it is "an honour" to join the Eagles after his free transfer from Celta Vigo was confirmed.
The 27-year-old Spain international defender has signed a four-year deal and becomes new boss Pierre Sage's first signing.
"I'm really excited to be here," Mingueza told club media. "I can't wait to see you at Selhurst Park."
Mingueza is a versatile defender who can play across the back four and has clocked up 173 La Liga appearances, first for his boyhood club Barcelona and then for Celta Vigo since 2022.
He has also made four appearances for Spain, including starting the 2025 Nations League final against Portugal.
"We are delighted to welcome a player of Oscar's quality and character to the club," said Palace chairman Steve Parish.
"His track record speaks for itself, with experience at the highest level for both club and country. We believe he will be a fantastic fit for Crystal Palace."
