Crystal Palace Lead Bartosz Mazurek Chase as £25m Salzburg Midfielder Draws Brighton Interest

Crystal Palace are emerging as the most active club in the pursuit of Bartosz Mazurek, with TeamTalk reporting concrete interest in the highly rated Red Bull Salzburg midfielder.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a sharp rise since joining Salzburg from Jagiellonia Białystok in the summer for €6 million, around £5 million. In a short space of time, he has become one of the more closely watched young midfielders in Europe, and Palace appear to have moved decisively.

According to the report, Palace have already made contact over a potential move and have been the leading club in the race over the last two weeks. That points to more than background checks or casual admiration. It suggests groundwork is being laid early, with the club attempting to position itself strongly before the market becomes even more crowded.

Palace push in crowded Mazurek market

Mazurek’s numbers help explain the growing interest. Across 23 appearances this season, he has produced two goals and six assists, form that also earned him a first senior Poland call-up under Jan Urban. Salzburg’s recruitment model has long centred on identifying and accelerating elite young talent, so external attention comes as no surprise.

The player has also made his feelings on English football very clear. “England is the highest level you can reach,” he said recently, a line that will naturally encourage Premier League clubs weighing up whether a future move is realistic.

Brighton are also in the picture and are said to view Mazurek as a strong fit for Fabian Hurzeler’s preferred technical and versatile profile. Porto remain firmly involved too, while Benfica and Borussia Dortmund have tracked him in recent months. This is shaping up as a serious multi-club contest for a player with growing status.

Red Bull Salzburg hold strong transfer position

Any deal, however, looks complicated in terms of timing. Salzburg are under no pressure to sell. Mazurek signed a five-year contract running until June 2031, which leaves the Austrian club in a powerful negotiating position.

The current expectation is that a January style exit, or any immediate mid-season departure, is unlikely. The report indicates that any move is more realistic in the summer of 2027. If that timeline holds, Palace may be trying to build a relationship now rather than force a breakthrough too soon.

The financials are also clear. A €30 million fee, approximately £25 million, would deliver a huge return on a player signed for around £5 million only months earlier. It would also trigger a benefit for Jagiellonia, who retain a sell-on clause.

Our View

This is the sort of report that immediately grabs attention because it feels aligned with where Crystal Palace should be aiming. A 19-year-old midfielder with top-level ambition, strong output, and major clubs circling is exactly the bracket Palace need to compete in if the club wants to keep moving forward.

What stands out most is the line that Palace are the most active side in the race. That matters. It suggests intent, planning, and a willingness to attack a deal before the market fully inflates. If a player is saying “England is the highest level you can reach,” Palace should be doing everything possible to make sure Selhurst Park is the destination that appeals most.

There is, of course, a reality check. Salzburg are experts at this. They know what they have, they have the contract security, and £25 million is not a small outlay for Palace. Then there is Brighton, who always seem to appear in these data-led battles for emerging talent. If they are involved, it usually means the profile has been heavily validated.

Still, this feels encouraging. Palace have sometimes looked one or two midfielders short of real control and creativity in big matches. Mazurek’s return of two goals and six assists in 23 appearances hints at a player who can influence games in multiple ways. If the club can stay in the conversation and build this properly, it could become one to watch very closely over the next year.