It has been a nightmare of a transfer window for Crystal Palace. Despite signing Brennan Johnson at the very start of the month, the Eagles have already lost club captain Marc Guehi, who joined Manchester City.
More recently, manager Oliver Glasner announced he will be departing at the end of the season.
However, things might only get worse from there for the South Londoners. It seems as though talismanic striker Jean-Philippe Mateta could also depart, with links to a few clubs heating up, including Juventus. It could be a winter where Palace’s squad gets truly decimated.
However, they will surely have money to spend, and with a new attacker needed, might have identified the perfect signing.
Palace holding talks to sign £21m sensation
The Eagles have certainly been linked with a couple of options to lead the line if Mateta does leave the club. Someone with Premier League experience, Jorgen Strand Larsen, is one name who has surfaced.
However, they might well look to cast the net further afield. According to a report from L’Equipe, it seems the South London side are keen to wrap up a deal to sign 19-year-old Angers attacker Sidiki Cherif.
There are once again confirmed talks between the clubs.
However, this might not be such an easy transfer to get over the line, with negotiations proving to be somewhat difficult.
Palace have already seen one offer rejected, with the French side asking for as much as €25m (£21m). They are also not the only side in the race, with Wrexham said to be plotting a move.
Why Cherif could be the new Wilfried Zaha
It is interesting to see Palace going down the route of signing a young player who can develop at the club. Perhaps that is a sign that, if they do lose Mateta, they’ll sign a more experienced number nine to play alongside Cherif and Eddie Nketiah.
In truth, the youngster has not set the world alight in terms of his sheer goalscoring numbers in an Angers shirt this term. In 18 top-flight games in Ligue 1, he’s found the back of the net on four occasions.
However, that is not an issue, given he is just 19 and his output can absolutely improve. Described as a “powerful” attacker by manager Alexandre Dujeux, Cherif has certainly left a good impression despite the lack of sheer goal and assist numbers he’s managed to put up.
Again, at his age, it’s not too much of a concern.
Indeed, some of his underlying numbers this season show just how much potential he has.
Cherif has notched up an average of 0.5 chances created per 90 minutes and a shot accuracy of 66.67%. He has certainly got lots of potential.
|
Cherif key stats in 25/26 Ligue 1 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat |
Per 90 mins |
Season total |
|
Shot accuracy |
66.67% |
66.67% |
|
Goals |
0.4 |
4 |
|
Chances created |
0.5 |
5 |
|
Duels won |
4.2 |
51 |
|
Ball recoveries |
3.2 |
39 |
|
Stats from Squawka |
||
One of the attacker’s biggest strengths is his ball carrying. Interestingly, he is among one of the best in Ligue 1 per 90 minutes when it comes to that metric, with his 11 successful dribbles this term placing him in the top 10%.
From that, it might be easy to draw comparisons to Palace legend Wilfried Zaha. The Ivorian attacker was renowned for his excellent dribbling ability, using his speed and strength to drive at defenders and burst past them.
He was excellent in a Palace shirt over two stints at the club, too.
Zaha bagged 90 goals and assisted 54 in 458 appearances, showcasing just how deadly he was, especially as a dribbler in transitional scenarios.
It is easy to see how the two are so similar. Both of them are versatile attackers who love driving into space and using their pace to their advantage, and have an eye for goal.
Zaha was sensational for Palace, so if Cherif can get anywhere close to that, he’ll be adored.
Signing a young player to help develop is a smart idea from Palace. For £21m, this could prove to be a great deal in the long run.
Crystal Palace now ready to pay £52m to sign the new Mateta
The promising striker could be the perfect solution to Crystal Palace and Oliver Glasner’s Mateta problem.
