Crystal Palace have been gifted a 'major' advantage in their widely reported pursuit of Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, according to a fresh report.

Palace hold Andoni Iraola talks as Parish eyes ambitious appointment

Palace's pursuit of Iraola has been one of the defining storylines of the Premier League's looming managerial merry-go-round, and a new report shares why the Eagles are now firmly in pole position to get their man.

It has been a long road.

Back in early spring, Palace were simply one of several clubs circling a manager still under contract at Bournemouth.

Initial interest was expressed, and it turned out to be genuine, but so was the competition.

Tottenham had him on their radar before Roberto De Zerbi's arrival, and Man United are still believed to be watching, while Athletic Bilbao were dangling the romantic prospect of a return to the club where he'd made his name as a player.

For a time, a return to Spain looked like the most likely outcome.

That picture has since shifted considerably.

Bilbao moved on and appointed Borussia Dortmund's former boss Edin Terzić instead, effectively clearing the path for Premier League clubs to step up their efforts.

Iraola confirmed his exit from Bournemouth at the end of the season, and with the 43-year-old now a soon-to-be free agent, the race to appoint him has entered a new and more urgent phase.

Palace are now believed to be in talks with the ex-Raya Vallecano boss, with other reports suggesting they've already made him a handsome financial offer to join the south Londoners.

Steve Parish is widely rumoured to be prioritising a move for Iraola, and a fresh update has shared the key edge Palace have in pursuit of the tactician.

Crystal Palace given 'major' Andoni Iraola advantage as talks continue

Chelsea entered the equation as serious rivals, with Liam Rosenior gone and the club scrambling to install a new manager before the World Cup, Stamford Bridge's hierarchy identified Iraola as a leading candidate alongside Xabi Alonso.

However, according to TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, Palace are not intimidated, and they believe they have a 'major advantage'.

Sources inside Selhurst Park have told the outlet that the club are now "growing in confidence" of pulling off what would be one of the most significant appointments in their modern history.

The Eagles' hierarchy have pointed to four key advantages they hold over their London rivals, with the structure and direction of the club's project central to their pitch.

The ability to offer Iraola genuine autonomy and long-term planning — something sources suggest he may not be guaranteed at Chelsea, where managers have been shown the door with alarming regularity — is seen as a particularly important factor.

Palace are also said to have been deeply impressed by Iraola's track record of developing players individually, as well as his high-tempo, aggressive style of play.

That identity is seen as the perfect fit for where the club wants to go following Oliver Glasner's departure.

Glasner has delivered the FA Cup and Community Shield during his time at Selhurst Park, alongside a looming Conference League final, but with the Austrian going, Palace's ambition is to build something more sustained.

United have also discussed Iraola internally as they weigh up Michael Carrick's future, and Newcastle's position remains slightly complicated by Eddie Howe's hints that he intends to stay.

But TEAMtalk's report suggests neither club currently poses the same level of threat to Palace as Chelsea, and even that threat is now seen as manageable.

No deal has been finalised, and Iraola will take his time before committing.

However, at Selhurst Park, the belief is building that the wait will be worth it.