Crystal Palace are set to sign Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu on a free transfer after the defender impressed during a trial at the club, according to BBC Sport.

Palace and Tomiyasu had been in talks over a permanent contract, with head coach Pierre Sage tasked with deciding whether to bring the 27-year-old in. That decision now appears to have been made. Tomiyasu has been training with Palace since late July, joining the squad at their camp in Como, and made an unofficial debut in a friendly on 2 August.

The move addresses a gap that opened when first-choice centre-back Maxence Lacroix joined Chelsea. Sage plans to play with three central defenders next season — a system that uses a back three rather than the traditional back four — and Tomiyasu is viewed as an option on the left side of that trio.

Tomiyasu's recent career has been disrupted by knee problems, and Palace have wanted certainty about his fitness before committing. The player left Arsenal by mutual consent last season and joined Ajax, where he made eight appearances. He then featured three times for Japan at the World Cup, including two starts, before his Ajax contract expired this summer.

For Palace fans, there is a neat twist of fate here. The last time Tomiyasu appeared at Selhurst Park in a competitive match, he was sent off for Arsenal after picking up two yellow cards in a Premier League fixture in August 2023. Now he could be lining up in red and blue.

Palace are also considering a move for winger Solly March, according to the same BBC Sport report. March, 32, left Brighton at the end of last season and has been recommended to Palace, with the potential deal discussed internally at the club.

Defensive reinforcement is clearly the priority this window. Beyond Tomiyasu, Palace hold a strong interest in Brest centre-back Raphael Le Guen, as BBC Sport reported last week. They have also explored a possible loan deal for Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong, but there are no indications Chelsea are prepared to let the 20-year-old leave.

Sage is reshaping a back line that lost its most reliable presence in Lacroix. Tomiyasu, if his knees hold up, brings versatility — he can play across the back line and has Premier League experience from three seasons at Arsenal. The question is whether his body can handle the demands of a full campaign.

Palace are working through their options with the new season approaching. Tomiyasu looks set to be the first piece of the defensive puzzle.