West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is edging closer to a move to Crystal Palace, according to a Guardian journalist.
Ed Aarons, deputy news editor of the newspaper’s sports team, reported on his personal Twitter account early on Wednesday afternoon that Palace are working on a deal to land the Senegal international, 28.
Aarons explained that he is “expecting some progress” today in the south London club’s attempts to land Kouyate before the transfer window cut-off.
Expecting some progress on Palace’s attempt to sign Cheikhou Kouyaté from West Ham today. Talks with Swansea over Jordan Ayew also ongoing #cpfc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 1, 2018
Good move for West Ham?
West Ham do not have such an abundance of quality players that they can easily afford to forsake a player of Kouyate’s pedigree and experience. Sure, they have signed Jack Wilshere in a summer signing spree that has brought some top quality players to the club but that does not mean Kouyate has outstayed his welcome. He started 32 of the Hammers’ 38 league matches last season and his ability to fill in at centre-back and right-back as well as do the midfield dirty work alongside skipper Mark Noble makes him an invaluable squad player. Manuel Pellegrini will know you cannot have too many of those types of players.
This is Futbol rating 5/10
Likely to happen?
Aarons is a reliable journalist, and his update makes it clear this is a deal Palace and West Ham are working on trying to complete before the transfer window shuts next week. A fee of £10million has been mooted, which is one that the south Londoners can afford and makes it viable ahead of deadline day.
This is Futbol rating 8/10