With Trevoh Chalobah returning to Chelsea this month, The Crystal Palace have reportedly turned their attention to signing another young defender instead of him.
Crystal Palace transfer news
Still far from safe from the threat Premier League relegation, the last thing that Oliver GlasnerChelsea were set to recall Chalobah midway through the campaign. But with the Blues beginning to struggle on the pitch and defensive injuries mounting, they are doing just that to leave those at Selhurst Park frustrated and without one of their key options.
As one key man leaves, however, another could arrive in form Romain Esse. The young Millwall midfielder has been linked with Selhurst Park since the turn of the year and could yet complete a January switch with another young talent.
According to African Foot reported by Sport Witness, Crystal Palace are now planning to sign Ousmane Diao from FC Midtjylland, who could demand more than €4m (£3m) if they are to approve the sale of their 20-year-old defender at some stage this year.
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With Fulham also reportedly in the race to sign the centre-back, Crystal Palace have no time to wait and wonder if Diao is the right option for Glasner’s side. If they want to beat their London rivals, they need to act fast this month.
Whether it’s Diao or another option, Crystal Palace must find a way to replace Chalobah before the end of the January transfer window.
“Complete” Diao compared to Rudiger
If the interest from Crystal Palace and Fulham wasn’t impressive enough, then Compliments of Jacek Kulig should be enough to further increase the defender’s stockpile. The scout/writer described the 20-year-old as a “complete and dominant” defender before comparing him to Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger in a sizable verdict last year.
What’s more, Diao has already proven his ability on the biggest stage during the current campaign, featuring in Champions League and then Europa League qualifiers alongside domestic duties for Midtjylland – even scoring four goals from his back line on the road.
All signs point to the top for the Senegalese defender, who could still make stops in the Premier League and Crystal Palace on his way. The Eagles could certainly do with an extra centre-back in their quest for Premier League survival.
