- Palace swooping for free agent
- Competition from Bayer Leverkusen
- Once dubbed a ‘superstar talent’
Crystal Palace have joined the list of clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, in the shortlist to sign Monaco’s Krépin Diatta this Summer. The Senegalese international has spent six years at Monaco but will leave upon the expiry of his contract this Summer, as Africa Foot report.
Diatta, who has been selected for Senegal’s World Cup squad this Summer, will see out his contract in order to secure a free transfer away from Les Rouge et Blanc.
It is being reported that Palace and Leverkusen are currently ‘standing out’ in the race for Diatta’s signature, with the German club considered to be ‘in pole position’.
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Diatta in high demand
Africa Foot’s report indicates that Bayer Leverkusen have already held two meetings with the 27-year-old’s entourage, and have discussed the possible outlines of a potential move.
The competition is fierce though, and Palace are reportedly following the situation closely. Senegalese international teammate Isamiala Sarr was Palace’s player of the season, and Palace ‘appreciate’ Diatta’s ability to play in several positions and his experience gained in Ligue 1 and European competitions.
Diatta is set on a move that keeps him in Europe, and one of the continents top five leagues, which closes the door on a move to Saudi Arabia, which had been rumoured.
What would Diatta offer to Palace?
Diatta is extremely versatile, and can play virtually anywhere along the right-hand side of the pitch. He’s predominantly used as a right midfielder but his pace and experience allows him to operate in various spaces during a game, offering a great skillset to the team’s system.
Diatta spent the best part of six years in Monaco. He played 18 games in Ligue 1 this season, notching two assists.
Diatta was once considered a ‘wonderkid’ by many scouting networks, when he was playing in Belgium with Club Brugge.
His goal record is not particularly strong, scoring just eight times for Monaco in over 140 appearances, but goals don’t seem to be Diatta’s game. Instead, his contribution to the system and build-up play.
His defensive statistics are impressive, winning 71.1% of his aerial duels, and rarely committing fouls. He’s also strong in one on one situations, and is dribbled past less than once per game.
Diatta feels like a strong replacement for Daniel Munoz, should Palace look to cash in on the Colombian this Summer. Munoz is 3 years Diatta’s senior, and so signing him on a free transfer would prove to be a shrewd and forward-thinking investment on a player who could certainly replace Munoz in Palace’s system.
