Pierre Sage has replaced Oliver Glasner at the helm at Crystal Palace and could well be set to reunite with a familiar face: Mamadou Sangare.
According to Sky Sports, the Eagles are in the chase to sign the talented midfielder, who knows the new coach quite well due to their previous association in France.
Adam Wharton’s Crystal Palace future is uncertain, so the Eagles could do well with another quality option in the centre of the park.
Sangare clearly fits the bill if he comes at an affordable price. And Palace are wasting no time to snap him up before some of the bigger clubs come calling.
Sage clearly rates Sangare highly
After Glasner’s departure, Palace moved quickly to snap up Sage, who earned rave reviews for his work in France with Lyon and later Lens.
At Lens, he also coached a young Malian midfielder in Sangare to become one of the finest players in his position in France, which has led to interest from other clubs.
According to the aforementioned report, the 24-year-old is a target for Crystal Palace, while Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott is another player on their radar.
Sage spent just a solitary season at Lens before moving to England and showered praise on Sangare during his spell at the club.
“He’s impactful both in winning back possession and in attacking. It’s very rare to find young players with this dual profile,” said Sage via Foot Mercato.
The midfielder is tied down at Lens until the summer of 2030, so the Ligue 1 side will look to drive a hard bargain if he decides to move on this summer.
Sangare perfect for Crystal Palace
Sage will take some time to get to grips with the rigours of the Premier League. However, having a familiar face at the heart of his midfield would be a massive boost for him if they get a deal over the line.
Sangare is a ball-winning specialist and has drawn comparisons with Seydou Keita. When asked about their similar playing styles, the young midfielder said it was an honour to be likened to one of the legends of the game.
“Being compared to Seydou Keita is a huge honor for me. I know I still have things to learn, but it’s extra motivation to work,” said Sangare via Foot Mercato.
Crystal Palace’s interest is not a secret and Sage has publicly sung his praises in the past. We can’t say with certainty that this transfer will happen, but it is worth keeping an eye on.
