Crystal Palace have now been offered the chance to sign Ilaix Moriba from Celta Vigo.
Nos Diario in Spain are claiming that Celta Vigo need to raise €14m (£12m) in sales to balance their finances, and have therefore started to offer the Guinea international around.
Crystal Palace have been linked to Moriba before, but who is the 23-year-old? Let’s take a closer look.
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Crystal Palace now have opportunity to plug midfield gap with 2022 target Ilaix Moriba
A story from Foot Mercato claimed in August 2022 that Crystal Palace were in talks to sign the central midfielder from RB Leipzig.
A deal ultimately failed to materialise, but the Eagles could finally sign Moriba this summer as Celta Vigo desperately try to raise some cash.
Nos Diario believe the Barcelona academy graduate has been offered to five Premier League clubs as Celta Vigo try to stir up interest, reaching out to Aston Villa, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Hull City as well as Crystal Palace.
The UEFA Conference League winners are looking for a new central midfielder amid links to Shea Charles and Joao Gomes – who is heading to Aston Villa – so the offer of Moriba could be tempting for Steve Parish.
Nos Diario claim Celta Vigo would accept just €20m (£17m) for the man born in Conakry this summer, who made 48 appearances in all competitions last season as the Spanish side finished sixth in La Liga and reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
It is said that Celta Vigo initially wanted €30m (£26m) – but lowered the fee due to a lack of interest.
While Nos Diario state Crystal Palace and the other clubs mentioned are yet to act on the offer of Moriba, the Guinean would be an interesting signing for the Eagles.
Moriba was previously a wonderkid as he rose through the ranks at Barcelona, even scoring a hat-trick against the Real Madrid U19 side at the age of just 15.
However, the former Espanyol academy star failed to realise his vast potential, eventually moving to RB Leipzig for €22m (£19m) in August 2021 but failing to settle.
Loan spells to Valencia, Getafe and Celta Vigo helped Moriba rediscover his form back in Spanish football, and he later sealed a permanent switch to Celta Vigo for €6m (£5m) in June 2025.
The Celta Vigo No.6 is a highly talented technician who can do great things on the ball, but also possesses the physical power to be a force defensively – there were even comparisons to Yaya Toure when he was first breaking into the senior side at Barcelona.
Moriba also has a familiar face already at Selhurst Park who can help him settle if a move materialises in Oscar Mingueza – who he has previously played 94 games alongside at Barcelona and then Celta Vigo.
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With three years still to run on his contract, this £17m opportunity could actually prove to be a bargain if Crystal Palace choose to make a move – only time will tell what happens for sure.
- Full name: Moriba Kourouma Kourouma
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 19 January 2003
- Height: 1.85m (6ft 1in)
- Nationality: Guinean
- Place of birth: Conakry
- Club: Celta Vigo
- Position: Central midfielder
