Crystal Palace have now registered an interest in bringing one of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s French teammates to Selhurst Park.
The Crystal Palace No.14 is currently in Paris with Thierry Henry and the France U23 side as one of the overaged players to be named in the squad for the Olympic Games.
Michael Olise is also in attendance – but has jetted off to complete a medical with Bayern Munich.
Now, one of Jean-Philippe Mateta‘s France teammates could actually replace the Crystal Palace No.7 at Selhurst Park…
Crystal Palace want Maghnes Akliouche
Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Crystal Palace want to sign Monaco No.21 Maghnes Akliouche.
The reliable Italian journalist adds that PSG are also looking to sign the Frenchman, who was named on the bench for France’s 4-1 Olympic warmup win against Paraguay on Thursday.
Thiago Scuro – Director of Football at Monaco – has announced that he is “confident” of keeping Akliouche this summer, with talks already underway over a new contract.
Nevertheless, the financial power of the Premier League and also of PSG could make an offer difficult for Monaco to ignore this summer.
Akliouche scored eight goals and also provided four assists in 31 appearances last season.
Who is Maghnes Akliouche?
Stylistically, we can see why Dougie Freedman is looking at Akliouche as a potential Olise replacement.
Unlike Antonio Nusa and Jaden Philogene – two players who have already been linked as potential alternatives to Olise – Akliouche is left footed, and tends to cut inside from his position on the right wing.
WhoScored shows that the 22-year-old averaged 1.3 shots per game and 1.4 key passes per game in Ligue 1 last season, as well as one successful dribble every 90 minutes and 1.3 tackles.
Judging by video clips of Akliouche, the man from Tremblay-en-France is not as explosive as Olise, although he still possesses excellent balance like the Hammersmith-born winger, and a strong awareness of when to release the ball.
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Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Crystal Palace and PSG fight to sign Akliouche.
