TalkSport journalist Alex Crook has hinted that Crystal Palace could be in position to make a move for AFC Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma.
The Dutch winger was in sensational form for the Cherries last season, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists in all competitions as the club fell short of promotion from the Championship as they lost to eventual winners Brentford in the play-off semi-finals.
It’s no surprise, then, to see that there are clubs who have taken an interest in him after that incredible campaign, with a recent report in The Sun claiming that Villarreal had submitted a bid for him worth £13m, although that was rejected by Scott Parker’s side.
And alluding to apparent rumours involving the Cherries winger and the south London outfit on TalkSport, Crook, who was reporting at Bournemouth’s friendly against MK Dons, hinted that Palace might be the next club in line to take a look at Danjuma, who he felt shared some similarities with Eagles star man Wilfried Zaha:
“Interestingly, it’s just been pointed out to me that Dougie Freedman, director of football at Crystal Palace, could well be here at the Vitality this afternoon. Now, I doubt he’s watching any of the MK Dons players.
“Danjuma, they’ve already rejected one bid from Villarreal – I’m told by people very senior here at Bournemouth that if they get a bit of £20m, they are willing to sell Danjuma, [a] very Wilf Zaha-type player.”
TIF Thoughts on Alex Crook’s comments on Arnaut Danjuma and Crystal Palace…
Can Palace keep Zaha for another season?
Yes
No
Danjuma certainly fits the Zaha mould when it comes to attacking prowess, having provided plenty of goals and assists from a wide position, and with the 28-year-old Ivorian reportedly having asked the club that he is let go this summer, the Eagles could find themselves looking for a replacement at some point before the window closes.
Although, whether or not Danjuma would be able to recreate that in the Premier League – where he wasn’t exactly blowing teams away when given the opportunity when they were last in the division – it would certainly be a bit of a risk for Patrick Vieira and his men to take.
They might be better off trying to persuade Zaha to stick it out for one more season instead, rather than having to replace their talisman in what is already a very challenging summer.
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