Earlier this week, we covered some more news about Crystal Palace target Soualiho Meïté, who was having a great season with Zulte Waregem on loan from Lille, attracting strong interest from Crystal Palace in January.
However, on Friday, it has been revealed by Het Nieuwsblad the Belgian club have triggered the transfer clause in the loan deal, paying £300k for the 22-year-old, meaning he is now officially their player.
Even with Sam Allardyce’s side very keen on Meïté’s services, the Belgian side are likely to demand a fair chunk of money for their new star, as 60% of any transfer fee received this summer will go to Lille.
Last week, Het Nieuwsblad claimed Zulte would want around €12m for him, of which they would only receive €4.8m, which still remains a healthy €4.5m profit for a small club.
Unfortunately for Crystal Palace, the player has big ambitions, and is apparently targeting a top eight club in the Premier League for next season.
Of course, that strongly depends on his performances between now and the end of the season, but if Sam Allardyce somehow manages to turn things around at Selhurst Park in the coming weeks, and gets Palace higher up the table over the next 13 games, the prospect of joining ex-Lille icon Yohan Cabaye in that midfield might become quite enticing.
That and a likely healthy pay rise.
