Andre Ayew in action for Swansea City in the Championship. (imago Images)
A report by 90min.com (h/t The Shields Gazette) claims that ‘talks are underway’ between Crystal Palace and Andre Ayew over a potential transfer, who was also linked with Newcastle United and Celtic recently.
The 31-year-old was released from Swansea at the end of last season as he ran down his contract. And now, he could see himself join a Premier League side in Palace.
Ayew first got a taste of English football when the Swans signed him in 2015. He then joined West Ham United before making a return to the Welsh side. The son of the great Abedi Pele, Ayew has done well for himself in France, England, as well as Turkey. But should Patrick Vieira sign Ayew?
Palace are really short on wingers, a problem which is compounded by Wilfried Zaha’s shift to the No.9 position. While there is a chance that Vieira, who is Roy Hodgson’s successor at Selhurst Park, plays Zaha on the flanks, the club would still struggle to offer Zaha adequate backup as well as competition.
The young Eberechi Eze offers the French manager a great option to play down the left-hand side. The 23-year-old Englishman was an important player for the club in that regard last season. But that still leaves them wanting for more wide-men. The club had Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend manning the flanks in the past.
But the duo’s contracts have expired this summer. That could leave them short of two able wingers going into next season. And Ayew can plug that gap to a great extent considering his versatility as well as experience of playing in the Premier League.
The 31-year-old forward can play on either wing and also as a centre-forward, even filling in as a No.10 on many occasions. That would help Palace fill many gaps in their team and provide them with an experienced winger in their ranks. And Ayew himself could have an easy time settling in at the club.
Not only would it be a step up for him, joining a first division side from a Championship outfit, he would have his brother Jordan Ayew with him in the dressing room too. The two brothers have played together at Marseille, Swansea, as well as the Ghana national team.
Another thing that will suit Palace regarding this potential deal is the fact that Andre is a free agent. And with a number of players on the chopping block this summer as they run out of contracts, any wage demands of Ayew can also be met with relative ease.
It remains to be seen if Vieira goes through with this deal but there is hardly anything that should make him turn his face away from signing the former Ligue 1 winger. The financial aspect, his experience, as well as his versatility means Palace can get an able first-team player or a backup to any of their current wingers in the form of Ayew.
