Starting the new season very poorly under Frank De Boer, Crystal Palace are still in the bolstering business, and a new centre-back is a priority, if Foot Mercato’s Dahbia Hattabi is to be believed.
While they won’t be getting Aymen Abdennour, the French journalist revealed the Eagles did make a last ditch attempt at signing the Tunisian defender, who is allegedly on his way to Zenit St Petersburg to team up with Roberto Mancini.
Set to be loaned to the Russian side by Valencia for two years with an option to buy, the 28-year-old was also a target for Marseille in Ligue 1, for whom RMC Sport claim he’s delaying his transfer for, just in case they make a fresh bid.
Visite médicale aujourd’hui à Rome pour un prêt au Zenit. L’OM et Crystal Palace sont revenus à la charge ces derniers jours. https://t.co/iAxNcftqu5
— Dahbia Hattabi (@DahbiaHattabi) 28 August 2017
Already signing Jairo Riedewald from Ajax and loaning Timothy Fosu-Mensah from Manchester United, De Boer was clearly displeased at the rather experienced defence at his disposal, and he’s still trying to bring in fresh blood.
It won’t be Abdennour, despite their renewed interest over the past few days, but could a deal between Crystal Palace and Liverpool be struck for last year’s hero Mamadou Sakho?
We’ll have to wait and see, but West Brom appear to be the new favourites for the very expensive Frenchman.
That’s if they sell Jonny Evans.
