- Crystal Palace are in the race for Ilan Kebbal
- Everton also eyeing the Paris FC man
- Asking price is more than reasonable
Crystal Palace are reportedly in the mix to sign one of Ligue 1’s most highly-admired midfield talents. The club are preparing for life without Oliver Glasner, who leaves in June.
That means the business conducted by the transfer chiefs in the summer will be for a new manager. Reports claim that the Eagles have made a ‘multi-million’ offer to Andoni Iraola, who will also be departing his job this summer.
Iraola or not it appears Palace are keen to bolster their midfield and that makes sense given the likelihood of at least one high-profile exit. Daichi Kamada is set to follow Glasner out of Selhurst Park when his contract is up.
Crystal Palace Eye Kebbal
Out wide, there aren’t too many issues, especially on the right with Ismaila Sarr flourishing. But it seems the club are eyeing Paris FC’s Ilan Kebbal.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, Palace, Brentford, Fulham and Everton are all interested in signing Kebbal. He has also landed on Lyon and Stade Rennais’ wishlists, while the Saudi Pro League is also keeping watch.
Kebbal has caught the eye with excellent performances this season. The Algerian has predominantly been used on the right wing but also in attacking midfield.
The 27-year-old has made 26 appearances across competitions, posting eight goals and five assists. He’s renowned for his creativity and his wand of a left foot that earned huge praise from Paris FC coach Stephane Gili, who said (via Ligue 1’s website):
“He’s an atypical player, not to everyone’s taste, but with enormous talent – qualities he doesn’t even realize he has.”
Palace are set for a busy summer, but a move for Kebbal isn’t exactly too expensive. That’s because Paris FC are thought to value him between €10 and €12m.
Rotation in Mind
If the South Londoners do make a move for Kebbal, it could be to add more depth to the squad. Sarr’s electric form has made him undroppable, but when he is rested, his absence is noticeable.
There is a clear lack of quality when Glasner opts to tinker with his best XI, and a good example was the display in a 2-1 win over Newcastle United last weekend. It required Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kamada and Adam Wharton to come off the bench to turn the game around.
Kebbal is also versatile and can play in attacking midfield as well as a second striker. It’s still not known who will replace Glasner, so targeting a profile like this makes sense.
