Sports
Hindolo Mustapha Eyed for January Crystal Palace Exit
Bradford City are keen on a January loan move for Crystal Palace attacker Hindolo Mustapha, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.
League One promotion chasers Bradford City are among the clubs competing for the 19-year-old’s services in the winter window after German side FC Nürnberg terminated his loan at the beginning of December.
Several clubs in the Football League offered Mustapha his first senior loan in the summer, but he opted to move to 2. Bundesliga for a higher standard of football. However, after failing to impress legendary striker and FC Nürnberg’s manager Miroslav Klose, Mustapha did not feature for their first team and instead turned out twice for their reserves.
Sources: Crystal Palace Open to Mustapha Loan Exit
Palace are open to loaning Mustapha out again to offer him another chance to get senior minutes under his belt. However, GMS understands there is a preference for him to remain in England, with it considered a better environment for his development at this stage.
League Two outfit Walsall have a well-established interest in Mustapha and previously held talks with his camp, while Portsmouth boss John Mousinho regularly attended Palace’s Premier League 2 matches at Sutton United’s VBS Stadium last season to personally scout him.
Mustapha is contracted at Palace until 2028 after penning a new deal in the summer. He featured 29 times for their Under-21s last season – scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists.
The highly-rated attacker is capable of playing across the front three and claimed Palace’s Under-21s Player of the Season last term. He was also nominated for Premier League 2 Player of the Season, which was won by Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
The teenager has represented Sierra Leone three times at senior level and was invited to train with the Palace first team last season during their mid-season training camp in Marbella.
Bradford Need Attacking Threat
Bradford’s interest in Mustapha comes as they look to add firepower to their frontline in a push to earn promotion to the Championship.
The Bantams have managed 32 goals in their 22 games in League One so far this season and sit third in the table – four points off league leaders Cardiff City and one point behind Lincoln City in the automatic promotion places.
Described as having ‘elite dribbling’, the 19-year-old forward would increase Bradford’s attacking directness, which could boost the club’s chances of reaching the Championship.
Palace have a good relationship with Bradford City and previously loaned Tayo Adaramola and Scott Banks there.
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