Cheikhou Kouyate has started a medical at Crystal Palace as he puts the finishing touches to a transfer from West Ham, according to a Guardian journalist.
The newspaper’s deputy sports chief Ed Aarons reported on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon that the Senegal international, 28, is set to make the short journey from east to south London with a week remaining of the window for summer deals.
Aarons explained that Kouyate and Swansea City attacker Jordan Ayew are both undergoing medical tests at Palace, who have also virtually completed the signing of Max Meyer from the Bundesliga.
Cheikhou Kouyaté and Jordan Ayew having medicals ahead of prospective moves to Crystal Palace. Max Meyer deal is done, just waiting for international clearance #cpfc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 1, 2018
Good move for Crystal Palace?
Yes. Kouyate is not going to sell season tickets, lift supporters off their seats or dazzle with fancy tricks. But Palace already have Wilfried Zaha and company to provide the final-third magic, with Meyer and Ayew set to join him as part of a reported triple signing blitz. Talk about a major transfer statement from Palace, who were so reliant on Zaha to avoid relegation last season. The star man stays – for now – but the imminent arrival of Kouyate is a shrewd move. Proven in the Premier League, the Senegalese is a solid midfield anchorman who wins the ball and provides the foundation for attacks. He is also versatile, too, able to drop into central defence and even fill in at right-back. For a reported £10million fee, this is decent business for Palace.
This is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Barring a late hiccup, this will be surely announced in the next day or two. Aarons is one of the most reliable journalists around when it comes to transfers, and his major update suggests the deal is done for Kouyate to bring down the curtain on his West Ham career after four years.
This is Futbol rating 9/10