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Crystal Palace now taking decisive steps towards signing Kader Meite
Having already made an approach, Crystal Palace are now reportedly taking decisive steps to sign a young Ligue 1 attacker ahead of Chelsea.
Glasner shuts down Mateta rumours
The last couple of weeks have been a concoction of all of Crystal Palace’s worst nightmares placed into one, sour cocktail. First came the surprise departure of Marc Guehi to Manchester City, then the news that Oliver Glasner will be leaving at the end of the campaign in the same breath. And if that wasn’t bad enough, reports are now claiming that Jean-Philippe Mateta has asked to leave.
The Frenchman has attracted the interest of Juventus, but Glasner has been quick to shut any rumours down that he has handed in an official transfer request.
“He didn’t hand in a transfer request and we have no bid received right now. That is the situation. I speak with many players about different topics, but I think what they deserve is that I don’t tell it publicly.”
With around one week until the transfer window slams shut, Mateta has until then to force a departure if he so wishes. If he doesn’t, then that will at least relieve the chaos at Selhurst Park until the summer.
The forward’s potential stay would also allow the Eagles to welcome some much-needed reinforcements. They’ve been stripped of their captain and now their manager is set to follow suit. If they are to have any success for the rest of the campaign, additions of their own should be seen as an absolute priority.
To that end, Sadiki Cherif is one name that has emerged as a reported target and he would certainly boost Glasner’s attacking options as well as Palace’s for years to come.
The same can be said for another young forward, who Palace are reportedly doing everything to sign ahead of their rivals.
Crystal Palace taking decisive steps to sign Mohamed Kader Meite
According to Caught Offside, Crystal Palace are now taking decisive steps to sign Mohamed Kader Meite from Stade Rennais. The 18-year-old forward has been the subject of interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea, but it is the Eagles who have made an approach.
Whilst Meite is one for the future, his potential arrival could represent excellent long-term planning in the event that Mateta departs either this month or in the summer window.
Given that Al-Hilal offered around €40m (£35m), however, the deal is unlikely to come cheap. Meite reportedly wants to stay put in European football, but that may yet rely on a similar offer from Palace or others.
Stade Rennais know exactly what they’ve got on their hands too, given the praise of Denis Arnaud. The club chief said: “He’s a very good lad, who listens, wants to progress, and has great athletic qualities.
“He’s made a lot of progress in terms of his mentality and independence. I’m convinced that he’ll have opportunities to break into the professional squad if he continues along this path.”
