Crystal Palace have shown serious interest in a move for Angers SCO’s Sidiki Chérif in the winter market.
Earlier this week, RMC Sport reported Oliver Glasner’s side have an agreement in place with the striker. However, they could dump the deal due to interference from various English intermediaries in this operation.
L’Equipe now look at the 19-year-old’s situation at the Ligue 1 side and cover the latest on Crystal Palace.
The Frenchman has scored four goals from 18 league matches this season. Although his statistics aren’t that impressive, the newspaper say he’s been one of the ‘revelations’ of the Ligue 1 side this season.
At the start of this month, Eintracht Frankfurt came forward with a €19-20m bid. Angers rejected that and reached an agreement with Paris FC for a fee between €21-23m including bonuses. The player wasn’t keen on moving joining them.
This gives Crystal Palace clear encouragement. RMC Sport state the Eagles could move away from this operation, but that didn’t happen. Instead, the Premier League side have ‘accelerated’ their efforts to sign him.
The London club reportedly returned with an improved bid after tabling an initial offer last week. The fee is said to be around €17m. On January 17th, Ouest-France stated Angers demanded €30m after rejecting Crystal Palace’s initial offer of €20m.
L’Equipe now state Angers have confirmed contact with the Selhurst Park club but deny receiving a second bid.
On Friday, Angers sporting director Laurent Boissier was asked about Chérif’s future.
“I think Sidiki will stay,” he said, as quoted by L’Equipe.
Boissier’s comments may not necessarily be a tactic to put pressure on the Eagles. The report explains discussions are ongoing between the two clubs, but without an agreement so far.
According to the newspaper, the ‘feasibility remains difficult to assess’ because of mixed reports. There’s been claims of Crystal Palace making positive progress while others have talked about a slowdown because Angers are demanding €25m.
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future remains uncertain. L’Equipe claim his exit may have an influence on Chérif’s future.
