Crystal Palace have been linked with Torino’s Joel Obi.
According to a report by SportItalia and re-laid by Tuttomercatoweb, Crystal Palace are eyeing a deal for Torino’s international midfielder Joel Obi, with Benfica and Porto also reportedly keen.
The Eagles will be looking to bolster their squad ahead of next year as manager Roy Hodgson will target a top ten finish in the Premier League following their strong end-of-season form.
A key area to strengthen is in the middle of midfield, and Torino’s Obi could be the answer as the talented Nigerian ace boasts several key attributes that would go down well at Selhurst Park.
The 27-year-old made 22 Serie A appearances for Torino last term, averaging two tackles per game while also chipping in with an impressive five goals and two assists.
The reports from Italy claim Portuguese giants Benfica and Porto are both keen on the player, but Palace could offer him the chance of earning a decent salary while showcasing his ability in the Premier League.
Obi came through the youth ranks at Inter Milan and made 50 league appearances for the Italian giants before moving on to Torino in 2015, and perhaps now the time has come for him to make a step up.
Palace would be wise to look to complete a deal ahead of the World Cup, as a few decent performances may see his price-tag rocket, although maybe they are keen to see how he fares on the biggest stage first.
Obi has made just 17 appearances for Nigeria despite making his debut way back in 2011, but since the turn of the year he has established himself as a first-team regular and a key component for the Super Eagles.
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