Pierre Sage is very close to becoming the new manager of Crystal Palace.
Only a work permit is believed to be holding up an official announcement from the Eagles, who have agreed to pay RC Lens £2.6m in compensation to hire the Frenchman – he will sign a contract lasting until June 2029.
Sage is already thought to be considering recruitment too, as Sportsboom believe the 47-year-old is keen to bring Odsonne Edouard and Ismaelo Ganiou with him from RC Lens to Selhurst Park.
Initial thoughts on Pierre Sage? 🤔
He can boast a 67.5% win ratio from 40 games at RC Lens 😍
Pierre Sage wants Crystal Palace to sign RC Lens duo
Flashscore claimed earlier this week that Sage wants Ganiou at Crystal Palace – and Sportsboom now add new details.
It is said that talks have started between Crystal Palace and RC Lens over the France U21 international, who has a price tag of €40m (£35m).
The central defender, who can also play at right-back, is wanted by PSG and Tottenham as well.
It remains to be seen whether Crystal Palace will sign Ganiou unless a defender leaves Selhurst Park, considering Sage already has Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards, Jaydee Canvot and Chadi Riad to fill three positions.
A separate story from Sportsboom states that Sage also wants to bring former Crystal Palace striker Edouard with him to SE25.
The RC Lens No.11 shone last season with 14 goals and three assists in 34 appearances following his £3m move back to Ligue 1 in September.
Sportsboom say Sage sees Edouard as the ideal fit for Crystal Palace in terms of providing attacking depth ahead of the UEFA Europa League campaign, which involves two more league phase matches than the UEFA Conference League.
Where do you think we can finish in the UEFA Europa League next season after victory in Leipzig? 🤔
If Nottingham Forest can reach the last four while in a relegation battle, surely we can at least make the final? 👀
It remains to be seen if Parish will agree to bring back a player Crystal Palace sold less than 12 months ago, but considering Sage has managed to get the best out of the former Celtic star – and the forward himself is familiar with life at Selhurst Park – a return could make a lot of sense for the right price.
