Crystal Palace target Nabil Bentaleb is reportedly keen to secure a move away from Schalke, according to Foot Mercato.
Former Tottenham academy prospect Bentaleb has found his opportunities limited this season as David Wagner has tended to operate with the more adaptable double pivot of Weston McKennie and Omar Mascarell, as a result, Bentaleb has failed to make a single league appearance this season (transfermarkt).
Bentaleb has attracted plenty of interest from across Europe, with Foot Mercato’s report claiming that Everton are reportedly joining Crystal Palace in registering their interest whilst Ligue 1 side Lyon are also in the market for a new midfielder.
However, it’s Palace who Foot Mercato say are ‘the hottest’ in pursuit of the former Spurs man.
Read Crystal Palace verdict
The 25-year-old has made 97 appearances across the course of four seasons in Germany (transfermarkt), scoring 19 goals and securing the Bundesliga Goal of the Season in 2016-17 for his effort against Augsburg.
Despite his lack of match fitness and potential attitude problem, Bentaleb still reflects a very good deal for Palace who are in need of a more mobile midfield presence to drive them forward in the transition and increase the Eagles’ attacking influence.
Bentaleb already has Premier League experience having played regularly for Tottenham (transfermarkt) before his departure to Schalke in 2016, and he will no doubt be pleased to play regular minutes in the top flight of English football once again.
