Crystal Palace have been linked to their second Marseille player of the summer with reports on the weekend in France linking Alan Pardew with a move for 30-year-old goalkeeper Steve Mandana who is no stranger to rumours of a move to England.
Mandana is said to be seeking a new challenge in his career but also on a personal level, and after spending eight years at the French club, he is set to sit down with the club president after the recent international window to discuss his future at the club.
Speaking to Le Parisien, he said: “I am waiting for the end of the international window to talk to president Labrune and to know if the coach is counting on me. I’ve been at Marseille for eight years. I feel really good there, but I aspire to be able to discover something else both professionally and personally,”
“The club has lost some key elements, so we’ll have to see how they count on recruiting to build a competitive team in a difficult financial situation. I’ll take that into consideration.
“But there also has to be interesting offers from clubs which will allow me to progress in sporting terms. It’s important for me to be able to challenge for the title and play for a place at the top of the table.”
The DR-Congo born goalkeeper who chose to play for France is also looking to push himself in-front of their number one goalkeeper Hugo Loris ahead of the European Championships in 2016, with recent displays for Marseille showing that the potential is there for him with a step up to a similar stage required to make Didier Deschamps take note of his talents.
“I can’t resign myself to being No. 2. But I’m aware of the situation and of this particular position. You don’t just change your No. 1 like that. Moreover, Hugo is playing well,” Mandana continued.
“The only thing I can do is play well with my club and with the national team when I’m called upon. And why not put a slight doubt in the coach’s mind, even if I know it’s difficult.”
