With Will Hughes still on course to leave as a free agent this summer, Crystal Palace have reportedly turned their attention towards a young midfielder who could replace the former Watford man.
Crystal Palace transfer news
The Eagles have been back to their best under Oliver Glasner in recent months and even find themselves in an FA Cup quarter-final as a result. One game away from Wembley and two games away from the chance to end Palace's search for their first major honour since 1994, Glasner is moving closer and closer to history at Selhurst Park.
Despite that potential history, it seems as though not everyone is keen to stick around. Now in March, Hughes is yet to sign a new contract in South London and remains on course to bow out at Selhurst Park when the summer arrives - leaving a gaping hole in Glasner's side in doing so.
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Palace are looking to get ahead in the race as they have submitted an offer to sign a player on a free transfer.
Planning for the worst, the Eagles have had no choice but to turn towards potential replacements. According to Africa Foot, Crystal Palace are now eyeing a move to sign Mahamadou Doumbia from Royal Antwerp alongside Sevilla this summer.
The Belgian reportedly value their midfielder at as high as €15m (£13m) ahead of the summer transfer window, as they look to at least from selling their 20-year-old.
Yet to reach the peak of his powers, Doumbia could prove to be a worthwhile investment for just £13m, especially given how he's risen to become a key starter at Royal Antwerp this season. With both Palace and Sevilla interested, the midfielder could have quite the decision to make this summer.
"Perfect" Doumbia is a rising star
Like Hughes, Doumbia's work is rarely seen in the spotlight. Instead, the midfielder is one of Royal Antwerpt's "unsung heroes", according to U23 scout Antonio Mango, who believes that the Belgian club are moulding the "perfect midfielder" in the 20-year-old.
Whether Doumbia is "perfect" enough to replace Hughes can only be answered in one way, but whether Palace turn towards the midfielder in the face of the 29-year-old's potential exit remains to be seen.
After rising through the ranks at JMG Bamako before joining Nordsjaelland on loan to earn the interest of Antwerp, Doumbia could complete the biggest move of his career so far by swapping Belgium for the Premier League this summer.
Justin-Devenny
Glasner's Palace has been a land of opportunity for the likes of Justin Devenny to begin making their mark and many more could yet follow that path into first-team stardom.