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Football London
Football London
Sport
Mark Wyatt

Who is Luke Plange? Crystal Palace line up £1m transfer for former Arsenal youngster

Crystal Palace have reportedly negotiated a deadline day deal with Derby County for the signing of teenager Luke Plange for £1million.

The 19-year-old forward has scored three goals in six starts for Wayne Rooney's side since making his senior debut in early December, with reports suggesting Palace will loan Plange back to Derby for the rest of the season once the deal is complete.

The striker is likely to be the only new signing Patrick Vieria's side pull off this window, though there is hope the club will be able to convert French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta's 18-month loan from Mainz into a permanent deal.

Palace had hoped to strengthen their squad with new arrivals this window but so far most of their reported interest in players has ended without fruition.

The Eagles were hoping to convince Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek to come to the club on loan though he looks set to become one of Frank Lampard's first signings at Everton.

Palace are also said to have had two attempts to sign Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah declined by the Gunners, with boss Mikel Arteta determined to keep the forward at the club this window.

Who is Luke Plange?

Plange grew up in Twickenham and started playing for Arsenal's academy at the age of six after scouts from most of London's top clubs - including Crystal Palace - had watched him play for his local team Feltham Whites.

A natural striker who grew up idolising Cristiano Ronaldo, Plange quickly settled at Arsenal and scored regularly while often playing in older age groups.

But as he reached the final stages of his junior career his progress plateaued, with the Gunners deciding not to offer him a professional contract last summer and releasing him to find a new club.

Their loss was Derby's gain, who offered Plange a contract after he had impressed in a handful of trial games for their under-23s. He went on to play ten times for the side in Premier League 2, scoring in a 3-2 loss against Crystal Palace in October before getting called into Wayne Rooney's senior squad two months later.

Plange made his debut as a half-time substitute in the Championship against Bristol City before scoring on his first start a week later against Blackpool in a 1-0 win at Pride Park Stadium.

He scored his second goal a few weeks later in a 2-1 win against Stoke City away before notching his third in six starts on Sunday as Derby came from 2-0 down against Birmingham to draw 2-2.

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