Crystal Palace defender Rob Holding closing in on loan move to Championship high-flyers after being frozen out by Eagles

Sheffield United are closing in on the signing Crystal Palace defender Rob Holding on loan until the end of the season. 

The 29-year-old has made just one appearance for the Eagles since his £4million switch from Arsenal in September 2023. 

He has been frozen out of the side this season following a disagreement with manager Oliver Glasner after Palace’s 2-0 loss to West Ham last August. 

Holding was an unused substitution on the day and he questioned Glasner over a post-match warm down for players not involved in the match, with the centre-back subsequently told to train with the under-21s. 

The Palace boss insisted Holding will not return to first team training last Friday despite the side’s lack of defensive cover. 

‘The reason Rob knows and it is not for the public. If there’s a club who wants to sign him and he wants to go there, there will be a solution,’ Glasner said. 

Holding (left) has made just one appearance for the Eagles since joining from Arsenal in 2023

‘But like in any other deal, you need three parties who say yes: two clubs and Rob. As long as not all three say ‘yes, I’ll do it’, nothing will happen.

‘Dougie especially is in touch with several clubs and Rob’s management as well, so let’s see. There is nothing I can do. Everything is clear between Rob and me, so that’s why I could be clear in my talks and everything else is not my job.’

Chris Wilder’s Blades have been on the hunt for a defender this month and Holding will provide experience as they push for a return to the Premier League. 

Sheffield United sit second in the Championship, two points behind leaders Leeds.