Pape Abou Cisse of Olympiacos FC celebrates victory after the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London. (Getty Images)
According to Sdna (h/t The Shields Gazette), Crystal Palace have been credited with an interest in Olympiacos defender Pape Abou Cisse ahead of the summer transfer window.
Abou Cisse, 24, came through the ranks of AS Pikine’s youth system in Senegal and moved to Ajaccio in the summer of 2015. Two years later, Olympiacos signed him and after failing to impress in the first season, he is a regular starter now.
The Senegalese international’s impressive performances have also caught the eye of other Premier League clubs including Wolves and Sheffield United. He is said to be valued at £17.6m by his club as per the report.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have been inconsistent for the majority of the 2019/20 season after enjoying a promising start. They were in the top six of the league table but a dip in form since October saw them drift away from the top half.
The Eagles are currently 11th in the table after they picked up momentum by winning their last three games before the league got suspended. However, the manager should bring in reinforcements to several key areas if they are to challenge for a European qualification spot next season.
One of the key positions that need to be strengthened is the central defence. James Tomkins, Gary Cahill, Scott Dann and Mamadou Sakho are the only centre-backs available at the manager’s disposal.
While Tomkins and Cahill have been regulars at the back, Dann has been used as a backup and Sakho has struggled with injuries for the best part of the campaign and has seen limited game time this term. Thus, adding a defender would be a huge boost to the squad and Olympiacos’ Pape Abou Cisse would be a viable option for the club.
Abou Cisse is a young and talented defender who has some experience at a high level after making 138 career appearances for Ajaccio and the Greek Champions. His inclusion would also bring healthy competition and he could be crucial when the old guards step down.
The Senegalese international would definitely add depth to Hodgson’s squad and he has a long way to go in his career as he is just 24. He can be seen as a future player for the London club and his qualities would improve with experience in the Premier League.
With all of Palace’s defenders aged 30 or above, it would be the right time for Hodgson to bring in youngsters for the future. And given Abou Cisse’s good run of form, he would be a valuable addition to the club’s backline.
Therefore, making a move for the former Ajaccio man in the summer would be a wise decision by the club.
