Crystal Palace have called off a deal to recruit Solly March over fears of a possible fan backlash in a boost for Burnley, West Ham and Southampton.

The 32-year-old had a physical ahead of a move to the Eagles, according to Talksport but chairman Steve Parish killed the move at the last moment.

March is presently a free agent after leaving Palace’s rivals Brighton at the end of last season.

The winger is still without a club and has spent his entire career so far with the Seagulls.

March made 300 appearances for the Premier League outfit and was instrumental in their journey from the second division of English football to the Europa League.

But injury problems blighted his final couple of years at the Amex Stadium, which saw him leave at the end of his contract last summer.

Solly March boost for West Ham, Burnley and Southampton

Palace were understood to be closing in on a deal to add March to the team to boost their striker options but called time at the last minute.

Parish was thought to be concerned the team would face criticism from supporters for signing a player so closely identified with one of their bitter rivals.

Championship sides Southampton, Burnley and West Ham were also connected with a move for March earlier this year.

All three teams will also benefit from Palace’s decision to withdraw from the competition to recruit him, as they might provide the 32-year-old Premier League football.

Solly March – Brighton league goals and appearances (from Fbref.com)

Season

Appearances (Starts)

Goals (Assists)

2013-14

23 (7)

0 (1)

2014-15

11 (6)

1 (1)

2015-16

16 (13)

3 (1)

2016-17

25 (9)

3 (2)

2017-18

36 (18)

1 (1)

2018-19

35 (30)

1 (5)

2019-20

19 (11)

0 (1)

2020-21

21 (19)

2 (1)

2021-22

31 (17)

0 (2)

2022-23

33 (31)

6 (7)

2023-24

3 (1)

2024-25

8 (1)

2025-26

4 (0)

March is presently working with a Championship side as he seeks to find a way back into football, it has been previously reported.

The transfer window is closed for now but teams can still add a free agent to their 25-man rosters if they have room.

Solly March opens up on latest medical

Earlier this month March confirmed he had passed a physical with a Premier League side, which was likely to have been Palace.

The winger said: “I think the biggest challenge I’ve had since leaving Brighton is to get clubs to trust that my body can still cope with playing regularly. “Hopefully the positive medical will assist with that.

“Clubs trusting my body and trusting that I can produce week in and week out with training and playing, that’s been the one challenge with most of the people I spoke to,” March told The Sun.

They all said the same thing, that it’s not about quality, it’s simply about your body and how much you can handle.

“I think I am in a good place, I really am.

“My knee is happy and strong, there is no swelling.

I can do anything I need to do, and I do it extremely well.”

I had a physical with a Premier League team and everything went well but nothing happened for all sorts of reasons.

“But the medical was fine.

“Seeing that was a positive for me, that my body is passing these things through.

March made four Premier League appearances last season – all from the bench.

The striker has not appeared in a competitive game since a 3-0 loss to Manchester United on 24 May in the last weekend of the 25/26 campaign.

Solly March would be a shrewd signing for any Championship club

A player of March’s experience and talent would be a great addition to the likes of Southampton or Burnley. He is a player who has produced at a high level in the Premier League.

Clearly his fitness difficulties are a concern but that may be a risk worth taking given he is now a free agent.

He’s a player who might be valuable to any side in the Championship if his wage demands aren’t too exorbitant.

Crystal Palace were interested in a move, and indicates that he could perhaps still play at a Premier League level, assuming he can stay fit.