Crystal Palace are said to have had a scout at Ireland’s most recent Nations League clash, with Middlesbrough star man Finn Azaz said to be the subject of their interest.
Azaz has had a fine season for Boro this term, notching ten goals and 11 assists in a brilliant return from the attacking midfielder, signed from Aston Villa a little over a year ago for just over £2 million. He’ll have done his reputation no harm during this international camp either, scoring his first international goal in the first leg of the Nations League play-off with Bulgaria, before providing an assist and generally being involved in so much positive Ireland play in the second leg.
That is where a Palace representative was said to have been present, according to a report from the Sun. Their report claims the Eagles will be ready to table an offer for the 24-year-old this summer, with at least two other Premier League clubs said to also be interested in the Boro star.
It comes just days after Brighton legend Adam Virgo tipped Azaz to win the Championship Player of the Year award while warning that the Ireland international could end up being a summer target for any of the newly-promoted sides. It follows team-mates Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg getting far more attention.
As far as Boro’s stance is concerned, they will be reluctant sellers of Azaz - particularly in a summer where losing Van den Berg and Hackney could be likely if Boro fail to gain promotion. Azaz still has three years left in his deal and that leaves Boro in a stronger position than with the other two, who have just two years remaining on their deals.
Interestingly, scouting of Azaz comes just days after Palace were also credited with interest in Boro head of football Kieran Scott, following the shock departure of their director of football Dougie Freedman. As well as Azaz, Palace have also shown interest in Ben Doak, Hackney and Van den Berg - all four of whom were Scott signings. It makes it all the more obvious why they would therefore have interest in Scott, with his signings for Boro clearly catching their eye.