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Crystal Palace offered chance to sign “special” striker amid Mateta’s poor form
Crystal Palace have now been sounded out to sign a “very special” striker, amid Jean-Philippe Mateta’s poor form.
Mateta‘s future at Selhurst Park is in doubt, with Tottenham Hotspur recently joining the race to sign the Frenchman, whose contract is set to expire at the end of next season, and it has become clear he has no interest in penning an extension.
The 28-year-old has been a reliable goalscorer for Palace for a number of years, picking up 56 goals and 13 assists in 186 appearances, but in truth, his form has nosedived since November, scoring just two goals in his last 13 Premier League outings.
With the three-time France international struggling, and eager to leave, the Eagles have started to work on finding a replacement, with Rennes’ Mohamed Kader Meite and Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos among the targets.
However, a deal for a different centre-forward is looking increasingly possible, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing intermediaries have been in contact with Crystal Palace to inform them Genk’s Oh Hyeon-gyu is available, and willing to move to the Premier League.
However, Palace may have to move swiftly, given that Fulham are in the race for the South Korean marksman, with the Cottagers now determined to get a deal over the line, while Leeds United have also been sounded out.
Oliver Glasner‘s side are said to be in the market for a new striker, but there are question marks over whether the 24-year-old is the best option available…
“Very special” Oh Hyeon-gyu yet to prove himself in major league
The 24-time South Korea international has been a relatively reliable goalscorer for the four clubs he’s played for to date, although he’s yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s major leagues.
|
Oh Hyeon-gyu’s goalscoring record |
Appearances |
Goals |
|
Genk |
71 |
22 |
|
Suwon Bluewings |
53 |
14 |
|
Celtic |
47 |
12 |
|
Gimcheon Sangmu |
40 |
9 |
The Genk star has ten goals to his name in all competitions this season, which is an encouraging sign, and he’s been lauded as a “very special talent” by former South Korea boss Jurgen Klinsmann.
Crystal Palace enter race for “incredible” forward with same agent as Johnson
The Eagles are keen on signing another new forward this month.
That said, there are arguably some far better options on Crystal Palace’s shortlist, such as Ramos, with the 24-year-old scoring 19 goals in all competitions for PSG last term, while also bagging two in the Champions League this season.
The PSG striker is the same age as the Genk man, and given that he has much more top-level experience, having also found the back of the net ten times in 22 caps for Portugal, he should be Palace’s number one target.
