- Patrick Viera’s side reportedly finalising deal for Mali international
- Len’s midfielder has been extensively scouted by Palace and will replace Gallagher next season
- Palace have beaten a host of clubs to signing including Brighton, Aston Villa and Atalanta
Crystal Palace are reportedly closing in on the signing of highly rated Lens midfielder Cheick Doucouré.
A deal close to £15m has been agreed for the Mail international with Viera extensively scouting the player during the season.
The midfielder is seen as a replacement for Conor Gallagher who will return to Chelsea after a highly productive loan spell. With the likes of Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek set to leave the Stanford Bridge outfit this summer, Gallagher will be offered the chance to impress in the first team by Tuchel next season.
Viera’s side have beaten a host of clubs to the player’s signature with Aston Villa, Brighton and Atalanta all registered with an interest in the player.
Crystal Palace are looking to get their business early this summer, and are currently being linked with moves to Arsenal‘s Nicolas Pépé and Manchester United‘s Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The latter is looking to rediscover the form that saw him move to Manchester from Palace for a then British record £50m in 2019.