Crystal Palace have made an approach to sign a “powerful” £20m star alongside their talks for Ousmane Diomande, according to a recent report.
Crystal Palace receive Europa League boost as John Textor sells stake
Since Palace won the FA Cup back in May, there has been lots of talk about whether the Eagles would be able to play in the Europa League or not next season, given John Textor was a shareholder at Selhurst Park as well as at Lyon, who are also participating in the same competition next season.
Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande Related
[Crystal Palace now in "negotiations" to sign "dominant" 21 y/o defender](https://www.footballfancast.com/crystal-palace-now-in-negotiations-to-sign-ousmane-diomande/ "Crystal Palace now in "negotiations" to sign "dominant" 21 y/o defender")
Oliver Glasner has reportedly "approved" the signing.
Palace’s chances of being in the competition have just received a major boost, as Textor has now sold his shares in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. Textor had a 43 percent stake, but he has now sold all of that to Johnson in a deal worth more than £109 million.
john-textor-botafogo-igor-jesus
Textor’s sale to Johnson needs the Premier League’s approval, but if all goes well, Palace supporters could now find themselves following their team in Europe next season. As well as being owner of the New York Jets, Johnson was also a former US ambassador to the UK, and his interest in the Premier League is not new, as he’s tried to buy a football club before now, holding interests in West Ham and Chelsea.
As Palace could now be set for a season in the Europa League, they can now turn their focus to summer transfers, and while they work on a deal for Diomande, they have another player on their radar.
Crystal Palace make approach to sign Andy Diouf
According to Alan Nixon, relayed by TBR Football, Crystal Palace have approached RC Lens over a deal to sign Andy Diouf, who they see as their next signing if they can wrap up a deal for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande.
Andy Diouf
The report states that the Eagles are aware they could potentially lose midfielder Adam Wharton this summer, given his impressive performances last season in the Premier League, and they are now putting plans in place to have a replacement for the Englishman. It is stated that Lens are willing to sell Diouf this summer, as long as they receive a bid worth £20 million.
Diouf, who has been described as a “powerful ball-carrier” in the past, played 34 times in Ligue 1 last season, scoring one goal in the process. Diouf’s versatility will make him a very useful addition at Selhurst Park, as he can operate anywhere through the spine of midfield, as a number six, eight or ten.
A concrete move for Diouf will likely come once the Eagles have completed the transfer of Diomande. It’s been reported that Palace are in negotiations with Sporting CP over a deal to sign the defender, as he is seen as a replacement for Marc Guehi. It could cost Palace as much as £40 million to get a deal over the line for the Ivory Coast international.