L'Équipe reported on Wednesday that both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have registered serious interest in the 19-year-old France Under-21 international centre-back, who has established himself as a regular starter in his debut Premier League season.
Canvot made 37 appearances in all competitions this season, including 20 in the Premier League — starting 14 of them — and featured in Crystal Palace's run to the Conference League final. He impressed with his athleticism, composure in possession and proactive defensive style. He played under Oliver Glasner, who has described him in internal discussions as one of the most naturally gifted young defenders he had worked with in European football.
Palace are determined to resist any approaches. The club sold Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January for a reported £67.5 million and now face the real possibility of losing Maxence Lacroix. A third defensive departure in quick succession is not something the club's hierarchy are willing to contemplate.
Canvot is contracted until the summer of 2029, giving Palace significant commercial leverage. Any interested club would need to produce a fee that breaks the club's own record — the Ebere Eze sale to Arsenal last summer for £67.5 million. Palace have made that position known privately to clubs who have made tentative enquiries.
Canvot joined from Toulouse where he had caught the eye after breaking into their first team. He was signed from the Toulouse academy system by Crystal Palace for a fee believed to be in the region of £12 million — making any realistic offer a potentially significant windfall, even accounting for a sell-on clause.
His background is unusual. He came through AS Bondy's youth system — the club that also produced Kylian Mbappé — before moving to Toulouse's academy at 15. He transitioned from an attacking position to centre-back at Clairefontaine, France's national training centre, and is now regarded as one of the most technically advanced defenders of his generation.
Barcelona, whose summer budget is entirely dependent on player sales, would face a significant challenge meeting Palace's valuation. PSG are far better positioned financially.
Palace, meanwhile, are focused on building around him — not letting him go.